HomeMy WebLinkAbout2018-085 Council ResolutionCITY OF LINO LAKES
RESOLUTION NO. 18-85
RESOLUTION DENYING A ZONING ORDINANCE TEXT AMENDMENT
REGARDING COMMUNITY SOLAR GARDENS
WHEREAS, the City received an application from Lino Lakes Solar, LLC for a Zoning
Ordinance Text Amendment regarding Community Solar Gardens and hereafter referred
to as "Amendment"; and
WHEREAS, City staff has completed a review of the proposed" Amendment based on
information submitted by the applicant; and
WHEREAS, a public hearing was held before the Planning & Zoning Board on May 9,
2018 and the Board recommended the City Council further discuss the Amendment.
Based on the record before it, the City Council of the City of Lino Lakes hereby makes
the following:
FINDINGS OF FACT
Pursuant to Zoning Code Section 1007.015 (5), the Planning and Zoning Board must
consider possible adverse effects of the proposed amendment. Its judgement must be
based upon, but not limited to, the following factors:
(a) The proposed action has been considered in relation to the specific policies
and provisions of, and has been found to be consistent with, the official City
Comprehensive Plan.
Community solar gardens are not in keeping with the Comprehensive Plan and the City's
intent to facilitate urban sewered residential development. The City of Lino Lakes is
designated as an Emerging Suburban Edge community and growth is managed through
the implementation of utility staging areas. The long-term investment (25 years+)
required for construction of community solar gardens will inhibit the orderly growth of
the city.
(b) The proposed use is, or will be, compatible with present and future land uses
of the area.
See above finding (a). The proposed use is a large utility and would not be compatible
with the proposed land uses in Lino Lakes, which is an Emerging Suburban Edge
community. Allowing community solar gardens in the community would limit orderly
growth in the manner described in the Comprehensive Plan.
(c) The proposed use conforms with all performance standards contained
herein.
Not applicable. Performance standards have not been established for community solar
gardens.
(d) The proposed use can be accommodated with existing public services and
will not overburden the City's service capacity.
Community solar gardens can be accommodated with existing public services, but are
not consistent with the City's land use plans as described above.
(e) Traffic generation by the proposed use is within capabilities of streets
serving the property.
Traffic generated by community solar gardens is anticipated to be within the capacity of
streets serving the property.
BASED ON THESE FINDINGS, the City Council hereby denies the zoning ordinance
text amendment regarding community solar gardens.
Adopted by the Council of the City of Lino Lakes this 9th day of July, 2018.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Council
Member Rafferty and was duly seconded by Council Member
and upon vote being taken thereon, the following voted in favor
Stoesz
thereof:
Rafferty, Stoesz, Maher, Manthey, Rein
The following voted against same:
none
ATTEST:
Juli. ne Bartell,
ity Cl k
2
Jeff Reinert, ► a o
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM 6C
STAFF ORIGINATOR: Katie Larsen, City Planner
MEETING DATE: July 9, 2018
TOPIC: Consider Resolution No. 18-85, Denying a Zoning Ordinance
Text Amendment regarding Community Solar Gardens
VOTE REQUIRED: 3/5
INTRODUCTION
Staff is requesting City Council consideration to deny a Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment
regarding Community Solar Gardens.
BACKGROUND
On April 5, 2018, the City received a Land Use Application from Lino Lakes Solar LLC
requesting a zoning ordinance text amendment to allow for the construction of community solar
gardens in the city. On May 9, 2018, the Planning & Zoning Board held a public hearing.
There were no public comments. The Board recommended staff gather input from the City
Council before moving forward on drafting an ordinance. At the June 4th and July 2nd Council
Work Session, staff provided the City Council with additional information related to
community solar gardens.
ANALYSIS
After review of the information, the City Council was not in support of amending the zoning
ordinance to allow for community solar gardens and directed staff to draft a resolution denying
the land use application. The Findings of Fact are detailed in Resolution No. 18-85.
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is recommending approval of the Resolution No. 18-85.
ATTACHMENTS
1. Resolution No. 18-85.
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