US Solar, represented by Nathan Wozniak, approached Sturgeon Lake Township about developing a 40-acre solar project that would connect to the Minnesota Power grid and provide power for about 1,000 homes under a 25-year land lease. 0000100) sits in the Agricultural District where solar farms are currently neither permitted, conditional, nor interim uses, making such a development prohibited under the current zoning ordinance. The attorney outlined that the company may request the Township to perform a study to determine if a solar farm use is acceptable and what zoning changes, conditions, and standards would be appropriate.The Town Board moved to contact township attorney Mike Couri and follow his legal advice on how to proceed, signaling early-stage planning around land use policy, potential solar development standards, and possibly future permitting or development agreements. This presents a pre-RFP opportunity for planning, legal, engineering, environmental, and community engagement support as the township evaluates whether and how to accommodate utility-scale solar in its ordinances.

Proposed site is PID 31.0000100 in Agricultural District; change would require ordinance and land use study per Section 14.05 of local zoning.