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1 <br /> <br />WORK SESSION STAFF REPORT <br />Work Session Item No. 1 <br /> <br /> <br />STAFF ORIGINATOR: Kendra Lindahl, Landform <br /> <br />MEETING DATE: July 2 , 2018 <br /> <br />TOPIC: Lino Lakes Solar LLC Community Solar Garden Text Amendment <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br /> <br />The applicant Lino Lakes Solar LLC has submitted a text amendment application to allow <br />Community Solar Gardens in the City. The City currently allows individual property to install <br />solar panels on their houses or buildings via a building permit. There have also been a limited <br />number of requests from property owners to install one or two ground-mounted solar panels as <br />accessory uses. <br /> <br />The applicant is requesting that the City amend the Zoning Ordinance to allow Community Solar <br />Gardens. This is a land use issue only—The City is not asked to participate financially or be a <br />subscriber in the project, but rather is being asked whether they support a change to consider <br />allowing this land use in certain zoning districts. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />May 9, 2018 Planning & Zoning Meeting <br /> <br />The Planning & Zoning staff report dated May 9, 2018 details the project. The Board was <br />supportive of exploring community solar, but raised a number of concerns. Board members did <br />not want to see panels outside of the urban reserve areas, and were concerned about installing <br />panels on developable land. If an ordinance were to be drafted, they would like minimum lot <br />sizes instead of maximum lot sizes, details about screening and landscaping, and <br />decommissioning standards. <br /> <br />The Planning & Zoning Board held a public hearing on May 9, 2018 and voted unanimously to <br />recommend that the Council consider this request. <br /> <br />ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SINCE THE JUNE 4, 2018 COUNCIL MEETING <br /> <br />City Council reviewed the project at a June 4, 2018 Council Workshop. The Council raised a <br />number of questions. Staff researched the questions and provides a summary of the questions <br />raised and a response to help the City Council determine whether or not to proceed with <br />consideration of a Zoning Ordinance amendment to allow Solar Gardens as a land use in certain <br />districts. If the Council supports the potential land use, staff would begin drafting an ordinance <br />for consideration at a Public Hearing. <br />