Planning commission recommends denial of Peterson solar farm land-use map amendment and IUP after residents raise environmental and traffic concerns

Sherburne County planning commissioners recommended denial of a comprehensive-plan land-use amendment and a separate interim use permit (IUP) for a proposed 2.475-megawatt solar farm proposed by Cedar Creek Energy on property owned by Lee and Rosalie Peterson.

Staff presented the proposal: the project would place approximately 5,000 photovoltaic modules on roughly 13.74 acres of a 43.22-acre parcel, connect underground to a nearby Kexus Energy interconnection point and include screening plantings, perimeter fencing and a decommissioning guarantee. An agricultural-impact assessment and a natural-resources desktop and field review identified 12.2 acres of non-prime farmland and 3.6 acres of farmland of statewide importance; three wetlands in the project site were delineated and staff required a wetland replacement plan with a 2:1 mitigation ratio and a monitoring plan to detect indirect hydrologic impacts.

San Diego Township submitted formal opposition and a resolution proposing a moratorium on new private solar conversions pending additional county studies; the township did not send representatives to the hearing but provided written comments. At the meeting, multiple residents spoke against the project, citing increased construction and maintenance traffic at an already busy intersection, potential glare, impacts to wetlands and wildlife, concerns about private wells and groundwater, the loss of an existing tree buffer (which the applicant had removed), and fears the project could expand over time. Residents also questioned whether a full traffic study, glare study and groundwater assessment had been completed and asked for more information on long-term decommissioning and soil condition post-project.

Applicant representatives (including Roselie Peterson and Alex Gast of Cedar Creek Energy) described mitigation measures: staggered planting of Black Hill spruce and gray dogwood for screening, anti-reflective panel coatings, pollinator-friendly plantings beneath arrays, a 40-year lease term with decommissioning financial assurances, underground cable to the existing pole/substation, and a monitoring plan tied to wetland permits. The applicant noted the Kexus interconnection can only accept about 2.5 MW at that node, limiting potential future expansion without additional grid upgrades.

Commissioners discussed township objections, the adequacy of environmental and traffic information, and the integrity of screening plans, noting some removed trees had been sold. After deliberation the commission voted to deny the comp plan amendment (the record notes a 2–5 tally in favor of denial) and subsequently denied the interim use permit as well. Both denials are a recommendation to the County Board, which will consider the project on June 16.

The commission’s recommendation will not be final until County Board action; staff flagged required wetland mitigation and decommissioning financial guarantees as conditions that would have accompanied approval. The project will proceed only if the County Board overturns the planning commission’s recommendation and imposes conditions the board deems adequate.