Planning Advisory Commission

1. Conditional Use Permit — Hillcrest Solar Garden, Section 14, Cascade Township

File 2026-0413 · Public Hearing · Planning & Zoning

A 4.9 MW community solar garden on 32 acres of agricultural land.

The applicant seeks a conditional use permit for a 4.9 MW AC community solar garden on a 32-acre parcel in the AG district. The Planning Advisory Commission held a public hearing and recommends approval subject to eleven conditions covering setbacks, screening, decommissioning security, drainage and road haul agreements.

Six written comments were received. Four raised concerns about glare and drainage; both are addressed by conditions 4 and 7. The decommissioning security is set at 125% of the estimated cost, indexed every five years.

Recommendation: Approve the conditional use permit subject to the eleven conditions recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission.

Fiscal impact: No County cost. Applicant pays all review fees.

Attachments:

• Hillcrest Solar - Site Plan Narrative.pdf (1.8 KB)
• Conditions of Approval (11).pdf (2.2 KB)
• Public Comments Received.pdf (1.6 KB)

2. Variance — Setback Reduction, 4419 Marion Road SE

File 2026-0422 · Public Hearing · Planning & Zoning

Request for a 12-foot reduction of the required side yard setback.

The applicant requests a variance reducing the required 20-foot side yard setback to 8 feet to permit construction of an attached garage. The parcel is a legal nonconforming lot of record platted in 1948 with a width of 52 feet.

Recommendation: Approve the variance subject to the two conditions in the staff report.

Fiscal impact: None.

1. Zoning Ordinance Amendment — Accessory Dwelling Units (First Reading)

File 2026-0418 · Ordinance · Planning & Zoning

First reading of an amendment permitting accessory dwelling units in the AG and R-1 districts.

The proposed amendment would permit one accessory dwelling unit per parcel in the AG and R-1 districts, subject to a maximum floor area of 1,000 square feet, owner occupancy of one of the two units, and compliance with septic capacity rules.

This is the first of two readings. The Planning Advisory Commission recommended approval 5-2, with the dissent concerned about septic capacity on parcels under 2.5 acres. Condition 3 was added in response.

Recommendation: Approve the first reading and set the second reading for the first meeting in September.

Fiscal impact: Minimal. Permit revenue is expected to offset review cost.

Attachments:

• Draft Ordinance - Accessory Dwelling Units.pdf (1.8 KB)