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HomeMy WebLinkAbout05/13/2015 P&Z PacketCITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MEETING Wednesday, May 13, 2015 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers Please be courteous and turn off all electronic devices during the meeting. AClUXT71A 1. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL 2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA 3. SWEARING IN OF BOARD MEMBERS 4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: April 8, 2015 5. OPEN MIKE 6. RE-ELECTION OF CHAIR & VICE CHAIR 7. ACTION ITEMS A. None 8. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Watermark Presentation by Rick Packer, Mattamy Homes B. Community Solar Gardens C. Project Updates 9. ADJOURN Meeting guidelines on reverse side. City of Lino Lakes Planning & Zoning Board MEETING GUIDELINES Open Mike — The purpose of a Board Meeting is to accomplish the business of the city. When presenting at a meeting please remember to be respectful, and follow these guidelines: • Please address the meeting chair. • State your name and address for the record. • Please observe a 4-minute limit. • The topic must relate to city business. • Open Mike is for items not on the agenda. • A spokesperson must represent a group of five or more — groups will have 8 minutes. • The Presiding Officer may limit duplicative presentations. • Remember, the meeting is to discuss city business only. Public Hearing - Held as a separate item of business on the agenda. The public hearing segment is your opportunity to tell the Board how you feel about issues scheduled to be heard. Typically, a hearing follows these steps: • The Presiding Officer (Chair or Vice -Chair) will announce the proposal to be reviewed and ask for the staff report. The presiding Officer shall maintain strict order and etiquette at all meetings. • Staff will present their report on the proposal. • Board members will then ask City Staff questions about the proposal. • The Presiding Officer will then open up the public hearing for anyone present who wishes to comment on the proposal. This is the time for the public to make comments or ask questions about the proposal. Comments should be limited to four (4) minutes unless further time is granted by the Presiding Officer. All comments should be directed to the Board as a body and not to any individual Board Member or City Staff Member unless permission is granted by the Presiding Officer. No person shall be permitted to enter into any discussion, either directly or through a member of the Board without the permission of the Presiding Officer. • After everyone in the audience wishing to speak has given his/her comments, the Presiding Officer shall close the public hearing. • The Board will then discuss the proposal. No further public comments are allowed. • The Board will then make a recommendation(s) and/or a decision. When you are called upon for your comments, please step to the microphone at the podium and state your name and address for the record. Occasionally, the Board may continue a hearing to another meeting before taking action. Meeting Etiquette The Planning & Zoning Board must preserve order and decorum while the meeting is in session. A resident shall not, by conversation or otherwise, delay or interrupt the proceedings or the business of the Board, nor disturb any resident or Board Member while speaking or refuse to obey the orders of the Board. CITY OF LINO LAKES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD MINUTES DATE : April 8, 2015 TIME STARTED : 6:30 P.M. TIME ENDED : 7:58 P.M. MEMBERS PRESENT : Neil Evenson, Perry Laden, Lou Masonick, Michael Root, Paul Tralle (Chair) MEMBERS ABSENT : Michael Hyden STAFF PRESENT : Katie Larsen, Diane Hankee I. CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL: Chair Tralle called the Lino Lakes Planning and Zoning Board meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. on April 8, 2015. IL APROVAL OF AGENDA y The Agenda was approved as presented. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: March 11, 2015 Mr. Masonick made a MOTION to approve the March 11, 2015 Meeting Minutes. Motion was supported by Mr. Evenson. Motion carried 3 - 0. (Laden and Tralle abstained.) IV. OPEN MIKE Chair Tralle declared Open Mike at 6:32 p.m. There was no one present for Open Mike. Mr. Laden made a MOTION to close Open Mike at 6:33 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Evenson. Motion carried 4 - 0. (Tralle abstained.) DRAFT MINUTES Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2015 Page 2 V. ACTION ITEMS A. PUBLIC HEARING to consider amendment to PUD Development Stage Plan/Preliminary Plat for Turnberry Crossing Katie Larsen, City Planner, presented the staff report. Staff recommends approval of the amendment to PUD Development Stage Plan/Preliminary Plat for Turnberry Crossing. Ms. Larsen pointed out that after the staff report was written, she found that the original plan that was approved only included the stone or brick coming up to the base of the window, rather than the stone or brick coming up all along the top of the doorway. The developer went above and beyond what was required by building the stone and brick up to the roofline, so staff is comfortable with allowing stone or brick up to the base of the window. In response to questions by board members, City staff discussed street traffic and gave detailed information about the porous pavers that will be used in the development. Mr. Laden requested confirmation that the 3 detached units will be part of the association and not Ms. Larsen stated the units will have the same requirements as the rest of the development and will be part of the association, the only difference being that they are pulled apart. Chair Tralle stated his support for the pavers and parking stalls but preferred the stone/brick rather than the white aluminum pillars. Mr. Masonick questioned the consistency of the appearance of the units. The board discussed their desire for more color variations. The Developer, Roger Hokanson, commented that he could add more variation. Ms. Larsen remarked that she will have staff review the color selections. Chair Tralle declared the Public Hearing open at 7:00 p.m. Developer Roger Hokanson with Hokanson Construction Development, 155 91st Ave, Blaine, discussed his reasoning for choosing the white pillars over the stone/brick columns and ensured that the one unit to be built alongside the existing units will be built identical to the others. Mr. Hokanson also discussed the market and appraisals for the townhomes. Judy Domning, 418 Aqua Circle, spoke about her concerns that the amendments are going to impact the value of the existing units. Areas of concern included: • white pillars vs. stone/brick columns • change in appearance with pavers • unit colors • park or picnic area in development • construction schedule DRAFT MINUTES Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2015 Page 3 Trent Mastenbrook, 610 Aqua Circle, addressed concerns on behalf of the Marshan Lake Condominiums HOA as a board member of the association. Their concerns included: • pillar maintenance • guest parking • ownership of street • mailboxes Lynn Morrison, 403 Aqua Circle, discussed her thoughts and concerns. She is pleased that the board is looking at maintaining the quality of the units and likes the idea of having security mailboxes. Her concerns included pillars, the common area/park, and drainage. Mr. Hokanson approached the podium again to address some of the issues. He reassured they are only re -platting half of the development, not whole thing, and they are going to finish with the existing houses that all look identical. Mr. Hokanson explained there is no information indicating the stoneibrick columns will raise the price of the houses over the white pillars. He questioned whether or not the City could decide which type of mailboxes he can use. Mr. Hokanson expressed that he is trying to keep the price down for buyers. Chair Tralle declared the white pillars seem to be an issue with everybody and asked Mr. Hokanson if we could use the stoneibrick columns on the units rather than the white pillars. Mr. Hokanson explained that it is a cost issue. Chair Tralle responded that as a representative of the City, the board wants to see the best look. Mr. Masonick questioned the sturdiness of the white pillars and is concerned about them being subject to dents and damage. Mr. Hokanson offered a compromise by using half posts. The board and Mr. Hokanson discussed mailboxes and received estimated pricing information for security mailboxes from Mr. Mastenbrook. Mr. Mastenbrook indicated the post office would prefer the security mailboxes and ultimately they are more secure. While the board and staff recognized the desire for security mailboxes, they did not feel that they were in a position to dictate which types of mailboxes are required. Mr. Hokanson discussed the drainage at the end of the street. The drain was overgrown with grass and weeds and that is the reason for the flooding. Diane Hankee, City Engineer, commented that the homeowner's association is responsible for maintaining the drains. Ms. Domning raised additional concerns about the homeowners association, which the board conveyed they do not have the capacity to resolve. Ms. Domning verified she is speaking on behalf of all of the neighbors in the existing units. Mr. Masonick requested clarification on the common area and Ms. Domning responded a picnic area was promised to the homeowners when they purchased their property. Ms. Larsen stated the landscape plan has not changed and the original landscape plan did not include a tot lot, but it did include a landscaped open space that could be used to add a fire pit or a bench. She cited no specific park features are required by the City in the DRAFT MINUTES Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2015 Page 4 original plan. Mr. Laden asked if there is a timeframe for which the landscaping needs to be done. Ms. Larsen said there is not a detailed timeframe. Chair Tralle asked Mr. Hokanson if there is an estimated time for total build out. Mr. Hokanson responded he does not have a specific timeframe but the units should sell quickly. Mr. Hokanson also noted where the staging unit will be located. Mr. Laden made a MOTION to close the Public Hearing at 7:42 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Masonick. Motion carried 4 - 0. (Tralle abstained.) The board members discussed their concerns and preferences regarding stoneibrick columns vs. the white pillars. Ms. Larsen referred to the original plan and found it included a wood support beam. Mr. Laden made a MOTION to recommend approval of amendment to PUD Development Stage Plan/Preliminary Plat based on the following conditions, which includes two additional recommendations by the board: I. All comments from City Engineer letter dated March 27, 2015 shall be addressed. 2. All comments from Environmental Coordinator letter dated April 3, 2015 shall be addressed. 3. All comments from Anoka County Highway Department letter (to be provided) shall be addressed. 4. A RCWD permit shall be required. 5. Sheet 1, Certificate of Survey: a. There is an existing shared access easement over the north property and the adjacent property. This easement and document # shall be shown. b. Under Zoning and Setbacks, PDO shall be changed to CUP PUD. (This shall be changed on all plan sheets). c. Perimeter (North line) setback shall be changed from 29 feet to 25 feet. (This shall be changed on all plan sheets). d. Under Comprehensive Plan, "full build out" shall be omitted. (This shall be changed on all plan sheets). 6. Sheet 2, Impervious Coverage Exhibit: a. The guest parking stalls shall not be removed. b. The guest parking stalls shall be replaced with porous pavers to meet impervious coverage calculations. This shall be noted on the plans. 7. Sheet 3, Preliminary Plat: a. The lot and block numbering shall be consistent with the Turnberry Crossing final plat. b. Building setback line along north perimeter shall be revised from 29 feet to 25 feet. c. The detail for the townhomes proposed on Lots 6, 7, 10 and I 1 shall also be included. 8. Sheet 4, Grading Plan: a. See City Engineer Comments. 9. Sheet 5, Landscape/Planting Plan: DRAFT MINUTES Planning & Zoning Board April 8, 2015 Page 5 a. See Environmental Coordinator comments. b. The trees located on lot 3 shall be relocated. c. An irrigation plan shall be submitted and noted on the plan. d. Sod is required in the open space area and shall be noted on the plan. e. Seed mix and planting details of stormwater management ponds shall be provided. 10. Sheets C 1-C3.2: a. See City Engineer and Environmental Coordinator comments. 11. Exterior Elevation House Plans a. All exterior elevation house plans shall be revised to show full brick columns on the front of the house vs. the white pillars. b. Two additional color sidings shall be submitted and approved by City staff. Motion was supported by Mr. Masonick. Motion carried 4 - 1. (Evenson voting nay.) VI. DISCUSSION ITEMS A. Project Updates Ms. Larsen provided an update of current city projects. VIL ADJOURNMENT Mr. Laden made a MOTION to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. Motion was supported by Mr. Evenson. Motion carried 4 - 0. (Tralle abstained.) Respectfully submitted, Nicole DeDeyn Community Development Assistant DRAFT MINUTES PLANNING & ZONING BOARD AGENDA ITEM 7A STAFF ORIGINATOR: P & Z MEETING DATE REQUEST: CASE NUMBER: Katie Larsen, City Planner May 13, 2015 Watermark Presentation by Rick Packer, Mattamy Homes PC2014-001 APPLICANT: Mattamy Partnership Attn: Rick Packer 7201 Washington Avenue S. Edina, MN 55439 REVIEW DEADLINE: NA BACKGROUND Mattamy Homes continues to move forward on the design and development of their master planned residential community called Watermark. The Planning & Zoning Board reviewed the concept plan in October 2014. Rick Packer from Mattamy Homes will present more general information regarding proposed architectural designs, development process and schedule. Watermark is located in the northwest quadrant of I-35E and CSAH 14/Main Street. It contains 12 parcels totaling approximately 372 gross acres and consists of a residential density mix of single family lots and townhomes totaling 876 housing units. RECOMMENDATION None. Discussion only. ATTACHMENTS 1. Site Location Map 2. Watermark Concept Plan 1 35W 35W 35W 35E 5E SOIL BORINGS F —���-— Iwl�,; ICI I I I WETLANDS BRAUN INTERTEC KJOLHAUG ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES COMPANY 11001 HAMPSHIRE AVE. S. 26105 WILD ROSE LANE MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55438 SHOREWOOD, MINNESOTA 55331 (952)995-2000 (952)401-8757 WATERMARK CONCEPT PLAN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY NO. 35E �UTH AVhINUE INUETH (U�SAH �Z1) LEGEND SITE DATA 0 75' SINGLE FAMILY LOTS 0 65' SINGLE FAMILY/PREMIUM LOTS 0 65' SINGLE FAMILY LOTS 0 55' SINGLE FAMILY LOTS 0 42' SINGLE FAMILY LOTS 0 30' TOWNHOME UNITS 153 —49 261 162 86 165 0 PARK 0 GREEN SPACE 0 BERMS 0 STORM POND (HWL) 0 EXISTING WETLAND 0 WETLAND REPLACEMENT (MITIGATION) TOTAL SITE AREA ±372.0 AC. TOTAL ROW AREA ±51.11 AC. 20TH AVENUE NORTH ±3.92 AC. INTERNAL ROW ±47.19 AC. TOTAL OUTLOT AREA f138.63 AC. PUBLIC PARK ±5.58 AC. PRIVATE PARK ±0.49 AC. GREEN SPACE & BERMS ±49.53 AC. WETLANDS, MITIGATION & PONDS— ±83.03 AC. TOTAL LOT AREA ±182.26 AC. 65'-75' LOTS ±114.35 AC. 55' LOTS ±31.79 AC. 42' LOTS ±14.06 AC. TOWNHOME LOTS ±22.06 AC. TOTAL NUMBER OF LOTS/UNITS 876 SINGLE FAMILY LOTS 711 TOWNHOME UNITS 165 AVERAGE LOT SIZES: 75' LOTS ±10,125 S.F. 65' LOTS ±8,775 S.F. 55' LOTS ±7,425 S.F. 42' LOTS ±5,670 S.F. MINIMUM HOUSE SETBACK DATA: 25 FT. FRONT SIDE (GARAGE) FT. 5 SIDE (HOUSE) 10 FT. SIDE CORNER 20 or 25 FT. REAR SETBACK 25 FT. OWNER CONTACT RICK PACKER (952)898-6108 O 2V�r LO o Ke l� v Main St 7 '-'J35� Co. Rd. 4A 170TH St N Q �R�a SITE sere JI — J� VaKe�l N 01 U I VAAe Co.Rd.14&21 K Co. Rd. N �t I e� e j I Vj.\\ e te Ke Ji ReS� -- Co. Rd. a 34 Birch St U UICCATION MAP (NO SCALE) 0 100 200 400 ( IN FEET ) 248 Apollo Drive, Suite 100 I hereby certify that this plan, specification Print Name: Brian J. Krystofiak, P.E. Drawn: C# Revisions: Carlson - environmental Lino Lakes, MN 55014 or report was prepared by me or under my McCain • engineering Phone: (763) 489-7900 direct supervision and that I am a duly Signature: Designed: BJK • surveying Fax: (763) 489-7959 Licensed Professional Engineer under www.carlsonmccain.com the laws of the State of Minnesota Date: 09/05/14 License #: 25063 Date: 09/05/14 09 08 14 1 f:\jobs\4721 - 4740\4724 - lino lakes property\cad\survey\layouts\4724_layout 4 concept.dwg MATTAMY HOMES 7201 Washington Avenue - Suite 201 Edina, MN 55439 WATERMARK Lino Lakes, Minnesota CONCEPT PLAN H of 3 roww attamyHOM�s Lino Lakes Planning Commission Workshop May 13, 2015 mattamyHOMES �•An 1. Review Past Progress 2. Discuss Architectural Review 3. Discuss Image and Amenity Level confidential mProgress to Date attamyHOMEs confidential • Renamed Project --Watermark • Concept Review by all City Boards and Commissions • Identified Wetland Impacts and Prepared Potential Mitigation Plan • Advancing through a Comprehensive Stormwater Management Plan with RCWD for surrounding 1700 acres • Added 9 new home products to Watermark lineup • Completed Traffic Analysis and have agreed to improvements to 2 0t" Ave . www.mattamyhomes.com g2ftaMYHOM]ES The Site Aerial confidential www.mattamyhomes.com <W Architecture • City has specific architectural requirements for homes • Mattamy believes its homes meet the intent of the ordinances, will be a positive addition to the City and would like flexibility in design. • Entire line-up of homes to be reviewed and approved along with a Monotony Code (5:1) confidential www.mattamyhomes.com FM7 C2UaMYHOM]ES Quick Review of Standard SF Product confidential g2ftaMYHOM]ES 55' Lot Product confidential www.mattamyhomes.com mattamyHOMEs NO www.mattamyhomes.com mattamyHOMEs si ■ r [e. www.mattamyhomes.com mattamyHOMEs 9mur cxeYrau.E f4521�6? d t w + _ n¢Idny M www.mattamyhomes.com g2ftaMYHOM]ES s- confidential 11 mattamyHOMEs www.mattamyhomes.com mattamyHOMEs so No so ONSOMEONE. ■■ ■i ■■ ■� ■1 orLIJ ee �i www.mattamyhomes.com C2ftaMYHOM:E:S 44'Wide Lot Product Home trent Luevation WATERMARK CD Victorian A - MN 3201 Y.FBo,roes confidential 14 g2ftaMYHOM]ES le taMILY1ioMe t'1011t P—IeV0Li1ail CraftEman4�." -MN 3201 WATERMARK 914, *CIES (!m box u$ MU confidential 15 e2ftaMyHOM]ES Rode Front Elevation WATERMARK Cottage V -ITT 3201 N" LXk, iG Li confidential www.mattamyhomes.com • e2ftaMyHOM]ES Home Front Elevation L r_i_,. Y� Iri �,��. �� J• W WATERMARK Prairie `F' - �)AN 3202 confidential U" L3* 3D Li 17 a2ftaMyHOM]ES Single Funi y Home Front Elevation Cm WATERMARK Victa:rian W - MN 32.0 confidential a"L3*MIS www.mattamyhomes.com g2ftaMYHOM]ES Single Fanii v Hoene Front Elevation %a 6.,. i. I..I.Y. WATERMARK Victorian W - MN 3204 confidential M" L3dL. 2DLz 19 g2ftaMYHOM]ES Simile FaMLIV Home Frmt Eeva#ian WATERMARK Prairie T - 2YN 32.04 confidential KII mattamyHOMEs www.mattamyhomes.com g2ftaMYHOM]ES Townhomes confidential AM !mafttaMYjHOMES confidential o ,Jv _ www.mattamyhomes.c 23 mattamy confidential MI mattamyHOMEs n r rp.-;— i - 1 � ■i www. matta myhomes.co m g2ftaMYHOM]ES confidential 0 g2ftaMYHOM]ES confidential 27 g2ftaMYHOM]ES confidential 28 g2ftaMYHOM]ES Site Amenities - Arrival Experience confidential we C2ftaMYHOM]ES Site Amenities - Arrival Experience Fountain Entry �, —r. , Landscaping z t, - and Monument - 5ignage 10.4 confidential ui F m N m 0 w w M Landscaped Berm and Trail Landscaped Berm and Trail 30 e2ftwyH0MES Ornamental Fence/Stone Columns Flanking Central Monument Sign confidential Wildflower Natural Pond Edge 4 Monument Sign in Cenhal Median 31 maftaMYHOMEs 0 X1. Ir N' U. E ME Ill. 7 lillim MINIM www.mattamyhomes.com rm"atta�myffl"MEs www.mattamyhomes.com www.matiamp�s.com F7 mattamy — confidential 35 maftaMYHOMEs 14 4 4 Entrance Overlook — confidential 4 ■ 37 g2ftaMYHOM]ES Berm Treatments confidential 38 maftaMYHOMEs Ar www.mattamyhomes.com maftaMYHOMEs U r'' 0 www.mattamyhomes.com 7 mattamy Thank You'. confidential 41 STAFF ORIGINATOR: P & Z MEETING DATE: REQUEST: CASE NUMBER: APPLICANTS: OWNERS: REVIEW SCHEDULE: BACKGROUND PLANNING & ZONING BOARD AGENDA ITEM 7B Katie Larsen, City Planner May 11, 2015 Community Solar Gardens (Discussion Only) None City Initiated NA NA Staff has received several phone calls from residents and private solar companies regarding the installation of community solar gardens in Lino Lakes. In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature enacted Minn. Stat. I I6C.7792 that requires Xcel Energy to provide financial incentives to promote the installation of solar energy systems in Minnesota. A community solar garden is a facility that generates electricity by means of a ground -mounted or roof -mounted solar photovoltaic device. Subscribers receive a credit on their energy bill for the electricity generated in proportion to the size of their subscription. Solar gardens may vary in size. The inquiries we've received are for ground -mounted systems on 10-80 acre sites with 25 year lease cycles. ANALYSIS The city ordinance does not address community solar gardens; therefore they are not permitted. We anticipate a land use application submission requesting a text amendment to allow for these types of structures. Staff wanted to present the Planning & Zoning Board with the concept for preliminary discussion and feedback. Points to consider: 1. Type of zoning district? a. Rural b. Industrial c. Public/Semi-public 2. Minimum lot size? 3. Setbacks? 4. Height? 5. Development Stage Plan? a. Post 2030 6. Landscape screening? 7. Permits? a. Conditional Use Permit b. Interim Use Permit RECOMMENDATION No action. Discussion only. ATTACHMENTS 1. August 2013 House Research article, "2013 Solar Energy Legislation in Minnesota" 2. Photo examples of community solar gardens 2 HOUSE RESEARCH Short Subjects Bob Eleff August 2013 2013 Solar Energy Legislation in Minnesota In 2013, the Minnesota Legislature enacted a bill that contained several provisions designed to promote the growth of solar energy (Laws 2013, ch. 85). These provisions are summarized below. 1.5 Percent Solar Minn. Stat. § 216B.1691, subd. 2£ A new law requires Minnesota's public utilities Energy Standard to generate or procure sufficient electricity from solar sources so that by the end of for Public Utilities 2020, at least 1.5 percent of the utility's retail electricity sales in the state are produced from solar energy. (In computing its standard, a utility must exclude retail sales to iron mining and processing facilities, paper mills, sawmills, and wood product manufacturers.) At least 10 percent of this energy must be generated by facilities with a capacity of 20 kilowatts or less. Public utilities must comply with this solar standard in addition to fulfilling the existing Renewable Energy Standard, which requires that at least 20 percent of electricity sales originate from renewable energy sources by 2020, and 25 percent by 2025 (for Xcel Energy, these percentages are 25 and 30, respectively.). The state's public utilities are Xcel Energy, Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, Alliant Energy Interstate Power and Light, and Northwestern Wisconsin Electric Company. These utilities collectively account for two-thirds of the state's retail electricity sales. Analysts estimate that compliance with the standard will increase solar capacity in the state by a factor of 30 from 2013 levels. Solar Energy May Minn. Stat. § 216B.164, subd. 10. The 2013 legislation gives public utilities a new Be Reimbursed at a option for paying solar generators for electricity sold to the utility in excess of the New "Value of generator's consumption. Prior to the new law, generators were reimbursed at a Solar" Rate rate they selected, based on either the utility's avoided costs as set by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) or the utility's average retail rate. Under the new law, a utility may choose to pay generators a price that reflects the value that solar energy represents to the utility, incorporating savings that accrue from avoiding construction of new power plants and transmission lines, reducing transmission and distribution line losses, etc. The PUC will establish a generic method that public utilities must use to annually calculate this "value of solar" rate, which, for the first three years, cannot be below the utility's average retail rate. Xcel Energy's Solar Minn. Stat. § 116C.7792. Beginning in 2014, Xcel Energy, which accounts for Incentive Program approximately half of Minnesota's retail electricity sales, must provide $5 million in financial incentives annually for five years to promote the installation of solar energy systems in its service area. Eligible systems must have a capacity of 20 kilowatts or less that generate no more than 120 percent of the customer's onsite annual electricity consumption. The incentive is paid for a period of ten years. Xcel Energy's Minn. Stat. § 216B.1641. A community solar garden sells electricity generated Community Solar from solar energy to subscribers who purchase a given portion of its output. It Garden Program allows access to solar energy by renters and property owners lacking sufficient capital to install their own solar systems or whose property may be shaded or otherwise unsuitable for a solar installation. Xcel Energy must submit a plan to operate a community solar garden program to the PUC by September 30, 2013. Programs are to begin operating no later than 180 days following the commission's approval of the plan. Other utilities may also submit plans. A community solar garden may be owned by a utility or any other entity. All energy generated by the facility, whose capacity is limited to one megawatt, is sold to the utility at the value of solar rate for distribution to subscribers. Subscriptions must represent at least 200 watts of capacity and may not exceed 120 percent of a subscriber's annual electricity consumption. "Made in Photovoltaic (Minn. Stat. §§ 216C.41I to 216C.415). Beginning in 2014, $15 Minnesota"Solar million annually for a period of ten years is allocated to owners who install solar Incentives photovoltaic devices with a capacity no greater than 40 kilowatts that have been certified by the Department of Commerce as manufactured in Minnesota. The incentive is financed from two sources: (1) each public utility annually contributes 5 percent of the minimum it is statutorily required to spend on energy conservation programs; and (2) the balance comes from Xcel Energy's Renewable Development Fund (Minn. Stat. § 116C.779, subd. 1). The amount of the per -kilowatt -hour -generated incentive for each type of Minnesota -made photovoltaic device is determined by the Department of Commerce based on several factors, including the performance of the device, and may be revised annually. Payments run for ten years and are to be split evenly between residential and commercial properties. Thermal (Minn. Stat. § 216C.416). Beginning in 2014, approximately $250,000 annually for a period of ten years is allocated by the Department of Commerce for rebates to owners of residential and commercial buildings who install solar thermal systems manufactured in Minnesota to heat or cool air or water. Maximum rebates are the lesser of 25 percent of the installed cost of the system or $2,500, $5,000, or $25,000, for single family, multifamily, and commercial properties, respectively. Rebates are to be allocated evenly between projects heating or cooling air and water. The rebates are funded from the incentive account established above for "Made in Minnesota" photovoltaic projects. For more information: Contact legislative analyst Bob Eleff at 651-296-8961. The Research Department of the Minnesota House of Representatives is a nonpartisan office providing legislative, legal, and information services to the entire House. House Research Department I 600 State Office Building I St. Paul, MN 55155I 651-296-6753 I www.house.mn/hrd/ a V At '.et., Ale 41 AV �. �rF.: �, y;� 6 a�N`�+x .• "-+ham s 7r �`L - its. ILI .96 Pw&I7?!YQM dt I V!m