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Planning & Zoning Board <br />May 9, 2018 <br />Page 4 <br />APPROVED MINUTES <br />Mr. Evenson made a MOTION to approve Saddle Club 4th Addition Rezoning and <br />PUD Development Stage Plan/Preliminary Plat with removal of buckthorn in the <br />early stages of development. Mr. Laden seconded. Motion carried 6-0. <br /> <br />C. Public Hearing: Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment Regarding Community <br />Solar Gardens <br /> <br />Kendra Lindahl, Landform, presented the staff report regarding Community Solar <br />Gardens. The applicant, Lino Lakes Solar LLC, submitted a zoning ordinance text <br />amendment application to allow Community Solar Gardens in the City. Typically, <br />this type of development requires a minimum of five acres of land for installation of <br />solar panels and the associated infrastructure. <br /> <br />Mr. Grochala explained why a public hearing was appropriate at this point in the <br />process. <br /> <br />Staff addressed questions from the Board: <br /> Mr. Laden asked who can buy into Community Solar Gardens <br />o Ms. Lindahl stated if you are an Xcel Energy customer, you can <br />subscribe to their solar program <br /> Mr. Laden is in favor in trying to make community solar gardens happen in <br />Lino Lakes <br /> Mr. Root thought that by limiting the maximum amount of megawatts for a <br />solar garden prevents newer technologies in the future to expand (1 Megawatt <br />maximum) <br /> Mr. Root acknowledged the maintenance of the property (weeds, plants etc.) <br /> Ms. Peacock addressed the panels durability and to not put near golf courses <br />due to possible damage <br /> Mr. Stimpson asked if Lino Lakes is proposing for solely Xcel or for both <br />providers (Xcel and Connexus) <br />o Ms. Lindahl suggested thinking for both providers and looking at the <br />city as a whole <br /> Mr. Stimpson expressed personal apprehension around pursuing due to the <br />amount of land it would take up <br /> Mr. Grochala stated that Xcel would want to be located nearby existing lines <br />for distributing purposes which would possibly be straight through sought <br />after land for developers <br />o Mr. Evenson asked if Community Solar Gardens would be included in <br />30 year plan <br /> Mr. Evenson asked what the dollar pay back is for solar rather than leasing out <br />land for farming <br />o Ms. Lindahl stated she only has anecdotal evidence but the landowners <br />she has talked to are very happy that they have leased their land for <br />solar purposes <br /> Mr. Evenson mentioned the difficulty removing the footings and panels