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Council tables proposal to allow community solar gardens in R1 zones, seeks maps and more data
Summary
A proposed zoning text amendment from Sunshare to permit community solar gardens in R1 via 30-year interim use permits (up to 20 acres, 250 ft setback, half-mile separation) prompted council concerns about impacts to R1 and agricultural land; council tabled the item for a workshop and requested maps of suitable parcels and utility proximity information.
The Rogers City Council tabled a proposed zoning code amendment from Sunshare LLC that would add 'community solar gardens' to the city code as an interim use in R1 residential districts.
Staff described the draft code language as creating a defined use for community solar gardens, processed through a 30-year interim use permit with performance standards. Key provisions in the draft include a 30-year permit term, a maximum project size of 20 acres, a required setback of at least 250 feet measured from the existing residence to the facility (not merely the property line), a half-mile separation between distinct gardens, undergrounding of power-related utilities, requirements for glare mitigation, stormwater management, vegetative screening and decommissioning plans.
Colin O'Neal, representing Sunshare, said roughly 800 parcels in Rogers are zoned R1 but only a handful of those are suitable for community solar because projects need proximity to distribution lines and buildable acreage; he estimated about four potentially suitable sites and said the half-mile buffer would reduce that number further. O'Neal also said subscription programs have a history of serving low- and moderate-income households in Minnesota and that Sunshare would explore options such as an early subscription window or local outreach to prioritize nearby residents, though he acknowledged state program rules generally prevent limiting subscribers to Rogers residents only.
Council members raised concerns about opening the entire R1 district to interim use permits, possible loss of agricultural land, visual impacts on rural areas and uncertainty about environmental and decommissioning details. Several members asked staff for a map showing which R1 parcels would be eligible and for information on proximity to XL Energy infrastructure and other utility constraints.
After discussion, a council member moved to table the item to the next meeting and asked staff to present a workshop (standing even-month meeting) with maps and additional data; the council agreed to schedule further review.
