County enacts one-year moratorium on solar, wind projects
Morrison County Record |Jeffrey Hage|May 9, 2026
Morrison County commissioners have implemented a one-year moratorium on new solar and wind energy projects to evaluate how these fit with local land-use policies and zoning ordinances. The moratorium, recommended by the Planning Commission, excludes meteorological towers used for wind testing, which can still be processed individually. This pause allows the county to assess the impact of renewable energy developments on the area.
Morrison County commissioners have implemented a one-year moratorium on new solar and wind energy projects to evaluate how these fit with local land-use policies and zoning ordinances. The moratorium, recommended by the Planning Commission, excludes meteorological towers used for wind testing, which can still be processed individually. This pause allows the county to assess the impact of renewable energy developments on the area.
LITTLE FALLS — Morrison County commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on certain solar and wind energy projects May 5, following a recommendation from the Morrison County Planning Commission.
The interim ordinance applies to community solar energy systems, solar farms and wind energy conversion systems under county jurisdiction. It gives the county time to study how larger renewable energy projects fit into its comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and land-use policies.
The ordinance does not apply to meteorological towers, which are used for wind testing. Those towers were removed from the moratorium language so they may still be considered individually through the county’s permitting process.
Land Services Director Amy Kowalzek …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]LITTLE FALLS — Morrison County commissioners approved a one-year moratorium on certain solar and wind energy projects May 5, following a recommendation from the Morrison County Planning Commission.
The interim ordinance applies to community solar energy systems, solar farms and wind energy conversion systems under county jurisdiction. It gives the county time to study how larger renewable energy projects fit into its comprehensive plan, zoning ordinance and land-use policies.
The ordinance does not apply to meteorological towers, which are used for wind testing. Those towers were removed from the moratorium language so they may still be considered individually through the county’s permitting process.
Land Services Director Amy Kowalzek said meteorological towers will continue to require an interim use permit, a public hearing before the Planning Commission and final action by the County Board. The board may also set case-specific end dates for removal.
The Planning Commission voted April 28 to move the revised language forward to the County Board for consideration. During that public hearing, Morrison County resident Lyndon Griffin said he supported the moratorium, but not the exemption for meteorological towers.
Kowalzek said the moratorium would pause consideration of solar and wind projects while the county studies its existing standards.
“What this is doing is not allowing solar or wind projects that are under the jurisdiction of the county to be considered,” Kowalzek said.
Board Chair Greg Blaine said the moratorium gives the County Board and staff a year to examine the effects of allowing solar and wind development in Morrison County.
“That is the reason for the consideration of a moratorium,” Blaine said.
The moratorium does not apply to current applications pending with the Land Services Department.
Commissioners approved the interim ordinance on a voice vote.