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Long Prairie adopts comprehensive solar ordinance covering residential to utility‑scale systems
Summary
The council adopted Ordinance No. 26‑06‑10‑03 adding Section 16.990 to regulate solar energy systems citywide, establishing definitions, permitting requirements, setbacks, decommissioning plans and financial assurance; the council also authorized summary publication of the ordinance.
The Long Prairie City Council on June 10 adopted Ordinance No. 26‑06‑10‑03, which amends Chapter 16 of the Long Prairie City Code by adding Section 16.990 (Solar Energy Systems). The ordinance sets consistent standards for residential, commercial, agricultural and utility‑scale solar installations, including definitions, permitting requirements, design and siting standards, glare and noise controls, screening and vegetation management, decommissioning plans and financial assurance for utility‑scale facilities.
Key provisions include limits on roof‑mounted panel projection (no more than three feet above roofline), maximum heights for ground‑mounted residential systems (15 feet) and accessory commercial/industrial systems (20 feet), and lot‑coverage caps for ground‑mounted installations (10% residential; 25% accessory). Utility‑scale solar systems are allowed only in specified districts via conditional‑use permit, require a minimum project area of five acres, setbacks (property line 50 feet; public right‑of‑way 75 feet; residential districts 100 feet; existing adjacent residential structures 150 feet), perimeter fencing and required vegetation management. The ordinance requires a decommissioning plan and financial assurance for utility‑scale projects, and authorizes the city to require glare analyses and coordination with FAA and MnDOT Aeronautics when aviation impacts are possible.
Council Member Lilah Gripne moved to adopt the ordinance; Council Member Clint Krueger seconded the motion and the council approved it unanimously. The council also adopted Resolution No. 26‑06‑10‑17 authorizing summary publication of the ordinance by title and summary under Minnesota Statutes sections 412.191 (subd. 4) and 331A.01 (subd. 10), and directed the City Administrator to publish the summary in the official newspaper. A printed copy of the full ordinance is available for inspection at Long Prairie City Hall.
The ordinance provides detailed standards intended to encourage safe solar development while protecting neighborhood character and agricultural resources; utility‑scale projects will require additional reviews and conditional‑use permitting.
