Planning Commission October 2026

Sherburne County Planning Commission meeting, October 16, 2026. The commission considered a rezoning and interim-use permit for Bango Minnesota, Inc. to cultivate cannabis at Nelson Nursery in Zimmerman. The proposal covered three existing greenhouses and included cultivation only, with no retail or manufacturing; the applicant accepted 18 proposed conditions. The commission discussed clarifying after-hours access for crop management and the on-call manager requirement. A recommendation to approve the rezoning was put forward, and a recommendation to approve the cannabis permit with conditions was moved; the transcript does not clearly capture the vote outcomes. The commission also discussed Nakomaomas Energy’s proposed 5-megawatt solar project on 34 acres, including a 35-year term and a decommissioning guarantee proposed at $200,000 for the first megawatt plus $50,000 for each additional megawatt, with the final amount to be set by the County Board. The related comprehensive-plan map amendment passed. The solar interim-use permit vote was split 3–3; the County Board was identified as the final decision-maker on November 3.

Public comments on the solar proposal raised concerns about noise, screening, wildlife, construction access, and nearby property impacts. The commission also discussed whether staff should further examine a zoning-ordinance provision restricting communication towers in areas with 24 homes within a quarter mile; no formal action was taken. Staff noted that county cannabis rules may need updates to align with state rules, with work anticipated around January 2027. No county purchasing, contract award, or procurement activity was identified; the matters concerned land use permits and private development proposals.