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Planning commission recommends 4-year permit for 198-foot MET tower on 159.65-acre site
Summary
The Morrison County Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of an interim use permit for a 198-foot meteorological (MET) tower on a 159.65-acre property, with a condition that the permit terminate four years from issuance. Swift Current Energy said the tower would collect wind and weather data to test viability for a larger wind project.
The Morrison County Planning Commission on July 21 voted to recommend that the County Board approve an interim use permit allowing Swift Current Energy to erect a 198-foot meteorological tower on a roughly 159.65-acre parcel to collect wind, temperature and pressure data.
Amy, land services staff, told the commission the installation is proposed as a temporary MET tower, cites county ordinance sections 604.8 and 12‑27, and recommended a condition that the permit terminate four years from issuance. “The proposed duration of the MET tower data collection is 4 years. At the end of data collection, the MET tower would be removed,” Amy said.
Joey Shannon of Swift Current Energy described the tower and data-collection plan, saying the towers ship sectionalized, are assembled on site, are supported by four guy wires, and are solar-powered with remote telemetry. “These meteorological towers ... are roughly a 198 feet tall,” Shannon said, adding the system is designed for remote telemetry and typically requires two service visits per year. He also said Swift Current filed the FAA’s automated screening tool for the coordinates and that MnDOT requires a red obstruction light on the tower top.
Commissioners asked whether the tower would require a new approach road, how disruptive the installation would be, and whether lighting and notification requirements were met. The applicant said they would use an existing field road and that MnDOT requires a 30-day prior notification and the red light, while FAA thresholds generally apply at 200 feet. Commissioners reviewed the five formal criteria and answered them affirmatively.
On a motion by Brent with a second by Clint, the commission voted unanimously to recommend approval to the Morrison County Board of Commissioners for its July 28 meeting, with the IUP conditioned to terminate four years from the date of issuance.
The county board will have final approval authority; if a wind farm were later pursued, commissioners and staff said a separate permitting process would follow and the Public Utilities Commission may have jurisdiction over larger installations.
