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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: June 4, 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. Typically, this type of development requires a minimum of five acres of land for <br />installation of solar panels and the associated infrastructure. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND <br /> <br />The Planning & Zoning staff report dated May 9, 2018 details the project (attached). <br /> <br />The Board was supportive of exploring community solar, but raised a number of concerns. Board <br />members did not want to see panels outside of the urban reserve areas, and were concerned about <br />installing panels on developable land. If an ordinance were to be drafted, they would like <br />minimum lot sizes instead of maximum lot sizes, details about screening and landscaping, and <br />decommissioning standards. <br /> <br />Following the meeting, staff researched the following items to address questions raised by the <br />Board: <br /> <br />• The number of homes that can be powered by 1 MW of energy. The applicant suggests <br />that 300 homes can be powered by 1 MW of energy. Based on staff’s research this seems <br />to be a conservative estimate. The Idaho Public Utility Commission estimates 1 MW <br />could support 650 homes. Staff also found examples stating that 1 MW could support <br />1,000 homes. Staff notes that panel efficiency varies by region, type of panel, and <br />changes in technology. Panels are becoming more and more efficient every year and that <br />increases in technology will continue to increase the power harvested by the solar cells. <br /> <br />• Staff also prepared an exhibit showing Xcel Service Territory over the 2040 Land Use <br />Plan. <br />