HomeMy WebLinkAbout2025.10.06 RESO 2025-36 Site Plan and IUP Solar Farm 7776 157th ST RESOLUTION 2025-36
APPROVING A SITE PLAN AND INTERIM USE PERMIT TO ALLOW A
SOLAR FARM ON PROPERTY LOCATED AT 7776 157TH STREET NORTH
WHEREAS, Oriana CSG 2020-12, LLC has requested approval of a Site Plan and
Interim Use Permit(IUP) to allow for a solar farm on the property legally described as
follows:
(See Attached)
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has reviewed the request at a duly called public
hearing and recommends approval, and;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF
THE CITY OF HUGO, MINNESOTA, that it should and hereby does approve the
request by Oriana CSG 2020-12, LLC for a Site Plan and Interim Use Permit(IUP) to
allow a solar farm, subject to the following findings of fact:
1. The applicant has a lease agreement with the property owner of the
property in question.
2. The proposed solar farm is an allowed permitted use within the
Agricultural (AG) zoning district with an interim use permit.
3. The spirit and intent of the ordinance is to allow for the generation of
renewable energy within the City of Hugo. Promoting the safe, effective,
and efficient use of solar energy, may reduce the onsite consumption of
fossil fuels and utility-supplied electric energy while avoiding adverse
impacts on the community at large. The solar farm meets the spirit and
intent of the ordinance.
4. The solar farm will not impede the City's ability to implement its
Comprehensive Plan.
5. The intent of the Agricultural (AG) zoning district is to provide an area for
uses dependent on the inherent productivity of the land. Many of the
surrounding properties are used for single-family homes or agricultural
activity, which generally translate into having a low impact on adjacent
properties with limited noise, traffic, etc. The solar farm will be
adequately screened from the view of surrounding properties. The solar
farm is compatible with the character of the surrounding area.
6. To construct and operate the solar farm on the property the applicant
agrees to sign the interim use permit and agrees to the conditions outlined
in the permit.
7. The permit shall be reviewed each year for the first two years after
installation and every five years following.
Resolution 2025-36
Page 2
8. Expires in 25 years (timeline beginning at the issuance of the building
permit) Expires when deemed abandoned. Expires when Oriana CSG
2020-12, LLC, is no longer the operator.
The requests shall be subject to the following conditions:
1. The applicant shall comply with all conditions listed in the interim use
permit(IUP).
2. The applicant shall submit revised plans for review and approval by City
staff as outlined in the IUP.
3. The applicant shall demonstrate that the elevation of the solar panels will
be level across the array.
4. The applicant shall revise the landscape plan to show 6-foot tall trees to be
planted along the southern and western sides of the solar array.
ADOPTED by the City Council this 6"'day of October, 2025.
4omWeidt, Mayor
ATTEST:
Michele Lindau, City Clerk
Resolution 2025-36
Page 3
Legal Description
The Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (NE 1/ NW 1/) of Section Fifteen (15),
Township Thirty-one (31), Range Twenty-one (21) LESS AND EXCEPT that part
described as follows: Beginning at the Southwest corner of said Northeast Quarter of the
Northwest Quarter(NE 1/ NW1/4) of said Section Fifteen; and running thence East along
the South line of said land,twenty(20)rods;thence North at right angles to said South line
twelve(12)rods; thence West to the West line of said forty,twenty(20)rods; thence South
twelve (12)rods to the place of beginning, Washington County, Minnesota.