Oliver County Passes Two Moratoriums

A Moratorium was presented for Solar projects and Data Centers and Facilities. A letter was presented to the Commission from Minnkota Power, which stated that the company opposes the moratorium. The Planning & Zoning Board passed both moratoriums unanimously.

 

RESOLUTION 2024-04

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA, TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES UNTIL ZONING STANDARDS CAN BE DEVELOPED

 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND has taken notice of the potential for Oliver County to be identified as a preferred location for the development of solar facilities in the future

WHEREAS, solar energy facilities are a nascent land use in Oliver County, and best practices have not yet been established regarding siting, application protocols, and performance standards for said land use

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND finds it necessary to develop a land use code amendment to establish a framework for the evaluation and siting of solar energy facilities, in order to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Oliver County

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND finds it necessary to impose a moratorium on any and all solar energy facilities, and that the purpose of the moratorium is to allow the County adequate time to conduct research, and develop and adopt standards to guide the development of said land uses

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND that a moratorium on the development of all solar energy facilities, is adopted, for the period of time necessary to develop and adopt adequate, applicable land use code amendments, and that this resolution shall take effect upon recording and publication.

Adoption of the foregoing Moratorium was moved by Rob Schmidt, seconded by Dave Berger; the following Commission Members voting for: Rob Schmidt, Dave Berger and Lee Husfloen, and none voting against, the Ordinance was approved and duly adopted the 12th day of December, 2024.

 

RESOLUTION 2024-05

A RESOLUTION OF THE COUNTY OF OLIVER, NORTH DAKOTA, TO IMPOSE A MORATORIUM ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALL DATA CENTER AND CRYPTOCURRENCY MINING FACILITIES UNTIL ZONING STANDARDS CAN BE DEVELOPED

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND has taken notice of the potential for Oliver County to be identified as a preferred location for the development of data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities in the future

WHEREAS, data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities are a nascent land use in Oliver County, and best practices have not yet been established regarding siting, application protocols, and performance standards for said land use

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND finds it necessary to develop a land use code amendment to establish a framework for the evaluation and siting of data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, in order to protect the health, safety and general welfare of the citizens of Oliver County

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND finds it necessary to impose a moratorium on any and all data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, and that the purpose of the moratorium is to allow the County adequate time to conduct research, and develop and adopt standards to guide the development of said land uses

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Commissioners of Oliver County, ND that a moratorium on the development of all data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities, is adopted, for the period of time necessary to develop and adopt adequate, applicable land use code amendments, and that this resolution shall take effect upon recording and publication.

Adoption of the foregoing Moratorium was moved by Rob Schmidt, seconded by Dave Berger; the following Commission Members voting for: Rob Schmidt, Dave Berger and Lee Husfloen, and none voting against, the Ordinance was approved and duly adopted the 12th day of December, 2024.