The Fillmore County Planning Commission met on February 20 to continue a public hearing on a conditional use permit application for a solar farm submitted by Fillinona Solar LLC.
The proposal is to build a solar farm on about 20 acres of land owned by HAZ-BROY Prop, LLC, section 30 in Arendahl Township. Fillinona Solar will work with MiEnergy to establish the solar farm near one of their substations. The solar farm of bi-facial panels is expected to produce about 6 million kWh per year.
About $7,400 of revenue will be generated, of which about $6,000 will go to Fillmore County and about $1,500 will go to Arendahl Township.
At the January meeting during the public hearing on the application, a safety issue was raised by Jelon Hogie. Especially during winter months when their driveway is icy, visibility and line of sight can be a problem when turning north onto Highway 250. Eric Udelhofen, representing Fillinona Solar, explained that since the last meeting they have worked out a solution to alleviate her concern. This summer they will work with a local contractor to install a concrete pad on the driveway that will allow them to have a better line of sight when it is icy. The extra work will be taken on in conjunction with the construction of the solar project.
There were no further comments from the commission, the township, or the public. Since the issue has been resolved, the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the application. A condition requiring a survey of the proposed site of the solar farm was added. Also, the driveway improvement must be approved by MnDOT. The county board will consider the CUP application at their next meeting. Construction is expected to begin this summer.
Board of Adjustment
This was the first meeting of the new year for the Board of Adjustment. Steven Duxbury was elected chairman and Trinity Johnson was elected vice chairman.
Stan Bahr, Newburg Township, requested a 30-foot variance from 417th Ave. to build a 30-foot by 40-foot pole shed/garage. There was no comment from the township board or the public. The variance request was approved.
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