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Nicollet County P&Z recommends large solar farm

ST. PETER — After a number of residents voiced opposition, the Nicollet County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved recommending establishment of a 1 Megawatt (MW) large solar energy farm in Section 13, Courtland Township, Monday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Gary Miller, seconded by Commissioner Marie Dranttel, to approve the application by Nicollet Garden, LLC on up to six acres of agricultural land owned by the Melva E. Griebel Living Trust.

Surrounding land use is predominantly agricultural. County Road 25 runs east-west along the northern property line. 501st Lane runs north-south through the western end of the property, located about 3 miles east of Courtland and about 4 miles southwest of Nicollet.

With a 25 to 35-year project life, the farm will provide energy for Xcel Energy’s Solar Rewards Community Program. The project is expected to generate more than 1.85 milion kWh (kilowatt hours) of clean energy each year, according to the project description.

Construction is expected to begin in spring 2020 and be completed in summer 2020.

Minneapolis developer Dan Rogers said the project is like many going up in Minnesota.

“Visually, we’ll include a row of cardinal dogwood trees that will be about four feet tall when planted and grow about two feet per growing season, reaching about 9 feet when mature,” Rogers said. “Drainage is an issue. We won’t add to it. We will help improve it over time.”

Proposed drainage improvements include a stormwater infiltration and storage basin in the southwest corner of the site. The basin is designed to capture runoff generated from new impervious areas (access road, panels) so on-site post-development flows are less than, or equal to, pre-development conditions. Drainage improvements are designed to meet Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) water quality requirements and Minnesota Stormwater Manual standards.

Residents voiced a number of concerns.

“This will trap a lot of snow. Erosion is already excessive. Banks are sliding. With more spring runoff, what about property values?” said Glenn Eilders.

“Where does this end in Nicollet County?” asked Ryan Bode. “I climb my grain bin and see a number of solar farms now. Could there be four, five or six more in the neighborhood in five or six years?”

“With this is in your front yard, property values will decrease. There is nothing appealing in these to me,” said Scott Flowers. “This is a little bit ahead of us now. There is a lot of government money in this. All of it is about money.”

Janelle Bode said her road has been wrecked by drainage through a township road and on to the Minnesota River.

“My road washes out. I won’t be able to get in or out. We have to wait and wait and wait until it’s open,” Bode said.

Julia Ulrich said she made a lot of calls.

“They’ve never really done a study of the aftereffects. There is stored electricity,” Ulrich said. “There are some (solar farms) by County Road 5. Many people have died of cancer there. It’s hard to believe this doesn’t cause health problems.”

“We’re going to be the ghetto of Nicollet County,” said Jane Eilders. “Other solar farm owners don’t live near them. They’re not safe. There is a school with kids less than a mile away. Our forefathers settled this land because it was prosperous farm land. Why wreck it? There are lots of concerns.”

Rogers said a 100 mW study in Chisago County showed that property values and sale prices did not fall near solar farms. He said polysilicon solar modules are made of refined sand and glass covered by aluminum and copper in a neoprene rubber jacket.

“We have not seen any adverse health effects,” Rogers said.

Commissioner Jason Enter said tax credits are pushing the solar farm projects.

“It sounds like there are a lot of pre-existing conditions,” Enter said.

Glenn Eilders said nobody would buy property surrounded by solar farms.

Commissioner Gary Miller asked if any county did a density study.

Nicollet County Property and Public Services Director Mandy Landkamer said Le Sueur County has a moratorium on commercial solar gardens but not on residential solar projects.

The Nicollet County Board of Commissioners will consider the application Tuesday, Nov. 26. The board meeting begins at 9 a.m in the Nicollet County Government Center.

Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@nujournal.com.

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