Town of Germantown

Town of Germantown

Planning Commission Public Hearing Minutes

May 20, 2025

Present: Commission Chairperson Keith Korbein, Commissioners Gervase Thompson, Tamaya Loewe, Mick McCormick, and Mike Edwards; Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Michaele Korbein

Absent:  Zoning Administrator Dick Martin 

Also Present:    OneEnergy manager/developer Stanley Minnick, along with helpers Eric and Chelsey, property owner Brad Pavloski (owner of the property where proposed solar project may go), Oakdale Electric Cooperative General Manager & CEO Chris Tackman, and 12 public guests

The public hearing was opened at 5:30pm.

This hearing was to hear public comments on the petition to Re-zone property located at parcel #290120363 located to the east of State Highway 58 and North of Whistling Wing Dr, just east of an existing solar farm. Applicant is Stag Moose Solar LLC/OneEnergy Renewables from Madison, WI.

Everyone was allowed to ask questions during the presentation.

Stanley Minnick described the proposed solar project on land owned by developer Brad Pavloski and currently zoned residential.

-The project would occupy almost 24 acres of 274 acres.  SoCore has a solar farm on the west side of this land and sells its electricity to Dairyland Power. Power generated from this project would be 4.5 megawatts that is equivalent to power for approximately 1200 homes.  It would connect to Oakdale Electric’s equipment to supply power to area neighbors at a lower cost than Dairyland, rather than be put on the electric grid. 

-Construction timeline is 4-6 months installation process, with construction to be in 2026.

-No concrete will be used in the project; construction will utilize 7-10’ metal posts into the ground

-The fencing will be the taller ag fencing to NEC code; there will be no barbed wire on top of short fencing. 

-Drainage ditch will stay where it is and untouched.

-If project loses power, utility does not pay.

-OneEnergy will take care of the maintenance for the life of the project.

-Benefits of the project include grid stability, environmental, good family-supportive jobs, teaching through schools and tours, pollinator plans, overseeding with pollinator plants, and potential sheep grazing to help maintain grasses and plants.

-Public concerns included that if the soil is already high in nitrates, wouldn’t grazing sheep raise that, and also about groundwater contamination and run-off with being so close to the Lemonweir River.

-One person stated there were ‘do not drink water if you are pregnant’ signs next door to this property at the old Best Power location already. Stanley did not have details on nitrate levels and had no test history, but said he would check into that and respond to their concerns.

-Stanley said that if sheep grazing was a concern, it could be made as a condition of approval to not allow grazing at the site due to public concerns.

-At end of life, the panels would be removed and safely discarded/recycled.  They work with a retrofit company from Minnesota.

-Panels on other projects hold up well to weather like hail, snow, and wind. Stanley indicated that in winter, the snow slides off when the panel tilts toward the sun.  

-Several residents voiced concerns about panels damaged or destroyed on the land there, causing ground contamination by what chemicals are in the panel, and about any long-term effects  of living near a solar field, like headaches.

-Chairperson Keith Korbein read a notice from the State of Wisconsin that essentially said municipalities really do not have much input or ability to regulate on solar projects except for the landscaping.

-Project dimensions are approximately 1300’ x 800’, which equates to the almost 24 acres noted earlier.

-One person said an environmental impact study would have been nice to review.

The public hearing closed at 6:25pm

Respectfully submitted,

Michaele R. Korbein, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer