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Commission backs map change and recommends approval for 4.5 MW solar garden with conditions
Summary
The Planning Advisory Commission recommended a Comprehensive Plan land‑use map amendment and an interim use permit for a 4.5 MW solar farm on Eilers Garden LLC land, subject to 22 conditions including DNR avoidance measures for Blanding turtles, stormwater and decommissioning requirements, revegetation and a 35‑year permit term.
The Sherburne County Planning Advisory Commission on April 16 recommended that the County Board approve both a Comprehensive Plan land‑use map amendment and a 35‑year interim use permit to allow a 4.5 megawatt solar farm on 29 acres of a 40‑acre Agricultural parcel owned by Eilers Garden LLC in Clear Lake Township.
Water Resource Planner Matt Danzl summarized project materials submitted by Nokomis Energy, including civil and electrical plans, a stormwater operations plan, a wetland delineation (four wetlands identified), a Natural Heritage Review (which noted Blanding turtles in the vicinity), a glare study and a decommissioning plan. Staff said the site is not prime farmland and that Clear Lake Township has approved the project and discussed driveway access and tree plantings.
Key conditions recommended by staff and accepted by the commission include submittal of building and engineered plans, a Stormwater Erosion Control permit and an NPDES permit, MN DNR avoidance measures for Blanding turtles, revegetation within 30 days after construction using a low‑growth pollinator seed mix not exceeding 36 inches, a 7‑foot chain‑link perimeter fence, emergency contact signage, operational hour limits during construction and decommissioning requirements. Staff noted past county decommissioning guarantees have been about $100,000 per MW; the precise per‑MW financial security amount was left for the County Board to determine.
Chair Terrance Vander Eyk characterized the application as "the application was very comprehensive and well done." No members of the public spoke during the hearing. Commissioner Vander Eyk moved to recommend approval of both the Comprehensive Plan amendment and the interim use permit; the motion carried.
If approved by the County Board, the project would be contracted with Xcel Energy under the Minnesota Low‑ and Moderate‑Income Community Solar Garden program, which serves income‑eligible households, affordable housing providers and public interest subscribers such as schools and nonprofits. Construction was targeted for spring/summer 2027, with a proposed operational life of about 35 years and routine maintenance visits estimated at three to six times per year.
