Planning Commission - 23 Jul 2026

The Stearns County Planning Commission held a meeting on July 23, 2026, to consider several interim use permit (IUP) requests for solar garden projects. The commission reviewed three main solar projects proposed by Enterprise Energy and Birch Sun LLC, each involving the construction of solar gardens ranging from approximately 4.99 to 5 megawatts. Key procurement-related discussions included the renewal of previously approved permits due to construction delays, financial guarantees for decommissioning (typically $185,000 per megawatt), and requirements for vegetative screening and environmental compliance. The commission addressed concerns about prime farmland use, visual impacts, and notification processes for affected neighbors. Public testimony highlighted local residents' concerns about farmland preservation, visual aesthetics, and notification adequacy. The commission voted to approve the interim use permits with conditions, including financial guarantees and screening requirements, and these approvals will be forwarded to the Stearns County Board of Commissioners for final consideration. The meeting also included procedural discussions about notification practices and planning commission membership.