Sartell Community Solar Garden Clears Another Hurdle

SARTELL -- After months of waiting the Sartell community solar garden finally has cleared another hurdle.

During tonight's (Monday) city council meeting the council approved a conditional use permit for the project.

The city plans to convert two open developments (the former Grede landfill and a former city lagoon) into a 5 megawatt solar garden.

Back in May, the city reached a land lease agreement with SolarStone for a 35-year agreement at $800 per acre on the nearly 40 acre site.

Since then, SolarStone was also able to acquire an additional property in the area, owned by SPX, which will give them around 50 acres for the project.

Sartell Planning and Community Develop Director Anita Rasmussen says SolarStone can begin drawing final blueprints, which will need to be approved by the council before construction can begin.