HomeMy WebLinkAboutStaff Report for PC 08 25 09 Planning Commission
8/25/09
ITEM: Conditional Use Permit for a Solar-powered Heating System at 1800 Larpenteur Avenue
SUBMITTED BY: Deborah Jones, Zoning and Planning Director
REVIEWED BY: Justin Miller, City Administrator
Roger Knutson, City Attorney
Background:
1800 West Larpenteur is an R-4 multi-family residential property containing an 18-unit apartment building constructed in 1969. It is located on the south side of Larpenteur Avenue east
of the Fairview Avenue intersection and across the street from University of Minnesota fields. It is adjacent to the Hermes office building on the east, University of Minnesota fields
on the south and a similar building at 1818 Larpenteur on the west. All properties within 350 feet are commercial, instititutional or multi-family. The nearest single family zone is
over 540 feet from the property.
The owner of 1800 West Larpenteur Avenue, Falcon Heights, has submitted an application to build an active solar-powered system for domestic hot water and space heat in the building.
An active system is defined as one that includes mechanical components such as pumps. The Falcon Heights city code Section 113-393 requires a conditional use permit for all active solar
power systems. The proposed system meets the definitsion, so a conditional use permit is required, in addition to the building permits and any other permits that may be required.
The application for a conditional use permit for this solar installation included a provision for height in excess of 10 feet above the roof, which also requires a conditional use permit
under Section 113-243. As the height in the final design is now established at lower than 10 feet above the roof, the applicant has withdrawn the height portion of the conditional use
permit application.
Analysis:
As allowed by Section 113-84(b), the zoning administrator waived those application requirements and development requirements that do not apply to this project. Please see the attached
summaries for the status of requirements in Sections 113-84(b) and 113-85(c) pertaining to this proposed project.
Staff finds that the remaining requirements have been met. Staff also finds that this project conforms to the new municipal comprehensive plan adopted by the City Council on June 24,
2009, in particular to the objective of “becoming a sustainable, energy efficient community.”
Staff Recommendation:
Staff recommends approval of the Conditional Use Permit.
Attachments:
Conditional Use Permit application for 1800 West Larpenteur
Site Map of 1800 West Larpenteur
Project drawings for the proposed solar installation
Application and development requirement summaries
Planning Commission Findings of Fact and Recommendation
Conditional Use Permit document
Published notice of the hearing (published 8/11/09).
Map of properties within 350 feet for notice mailed August 11, 2009
Actions Requested:
Hold a public hearing on the Conditional Use Permit
Vote on a recommendation to the City Council