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Commission recommends second 198-foot MET tower on 40-acre Morrill Township site
Summary
A second interim use permit from Swift Current Energy for a 198-foot MET tower on a 40-acre parcel in Morrill Township (temporary access off 350th Avenue) was recommended for approval with a four-year termination condition; staff and commissioners noted minimal road and environmental impacts with conditions.
Amy, land services staff, presented a second interim use permit request from Swift Current Energy for a 198-foot MET tower on a 40-acre property accessed off 350th Avenue in Morrill Township. She said the site is undeveloped cropland, a public ditch runs through the property, and staff recommends the IUP terminate four years from issuance.
The applicant clarified that no new access road would be required and that the installation will use an existing field approach. Commissioners asked about proximity to nearby residences and learned the closest residence was approximately 1,500 feet away in the mapping reviewed by staff. The applicant said the tower would be solar-powered and transmit data remotely via cell signal, with routine winterization and occasional site visits.
Commissioners reviewed the county's five formal criteria; answers were affirmative. On a motion that included the four-year termination condition, the commission voted to recommend approval to the County Board for its July 28 meeting.
If the county board approves, staff noted that any future decision to develop a wind farm would require a separate permitting process and could involve the Public Utilities Commission.
