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Carver County board sends Watertown Township solar policy to Met Council for review
Summary
County staff explained a proposed 2040 comprehensive plan amendment recognizing Watertown Township's owner-occupied requirement for large-scale solar; the board authorized submission to the Metropolitan Council for review and potential final adoption later.
County planning staff explained that Watertown Township adopted a 2021 solar ordinance requiring large-scale solar developments to be located on owner-occupied land, creating a dual-permitting path for landowners. Planner Paul Moline summarized the policy language to be added to the county's 2040 comprehensive plan chapter for Watertown Township and recommended forwarding the amendment to the Metropolitan Council for review. "Watertown Township zoning ordinance has been adopted to regulate solar development within the township and requires large scale solar developments to be placed on owner occupied land," Moline read to the board.
Commissioners confirmed the ordinance is lawful and noted prior litigation between the township and a solar company was dropped. The board voted to submit the amendment to the Met Council for review; staff indicated the Metropolitan Council review is expected to be about 60 days and that the township then will have up to nine months to align its ordinance with plan language if necessary.
