Herald Journal

Serving the communities of Howard Lake, Lester Prairie, Winsted, Watertown, Mayer, New Germany, Waverly, MN and the surrounding area

Wright County solar energy ordinance amendment


STATE OF MINNESOTA
COUNTY OF WRIGHT
NOTICE OF ADOPTION OF
WRIGHT COUNTY ORDINANCE 21-5
Please take notice that the Wright County Board of Commissioners on January 18, 2022 approved amendments to Wright County Ordinance 155.003 and 155.108.  These amendments concern Solar Energy Farms and Solar Energy Systems.  The amendments include changes to the definitions of Solar Energy Farms and Solar Energy Systems.  Solar Energy Systems were increased in size up to 200 kilowatts and the permitted operations of Solar Energy Systems was increased to 40 kilowatts.  The base amount of Solar Energy Farms was increased and amended to reflect the changes to Solar Energy Systems.
Wright County Ordinance § 155.108 also includes amendments to the decommissioning agreements and application requirements for Solar Energy Farm Conditional Use Permits.  These amendments include a requirement for landowner signature on any applications as well as the prevention and control of noxious weeds.  The application requirements were amended to also require more site plan mapping, more detailed surveys and plans for drainage and setbacks, and a disclosure of materials contained in the solar panels.   The decommissioning agreements were amended to clarify when the escrow funds can be used for abatement and for reimbursement by private landowners.
Wright County Ordinance § 155.108 was also amended to include a one-mile setback for Solar Energy Farms that are less then 1.49 megawatts.
Published in the Herald Journal, Jan. 21, 2022.

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