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LA515-114-864381.v2 <br />3)One of the required findings is that the use or development is compatible with the existing <br />neighborhood. The Property is zoned Rural Residential. The surrounding properties are also <br />Rural Residential. The proposed solar farm will use seven acres of the 10.9-acre site and <br />includes the installation of approximately 2,250 PV modules. The PV modules are nine feet <br />in height with the top of the panels standing no higher than 14 feet. The proposed solar farm <br />will also include the installation of inverters and switch gear located on 7 foot by 12 foot <br />concrete pads and the installation of up to three new utility poles. Due to the large size of the <br />solar farm and the amount of equipment that will be installed on the Property, the solar farm <br />will not be compatible with the existing neighborhood which consists of single-family homes, <br />farms, and a cemetery. The Applicant has proposed screening for the solar farm but due to <br />the unique topography of the surrounding area, required tree spacing, and the height of the <br />equipment, despite the screening, the equipment on the Property will still be largely visible <br />at the time of screening installation. <br />4)Another required finding is that the use will be designed, constructed, operated, and <br />maintained so as to be compatible in appearance with the existing or intended character of <br />the general vicinity and will not change the essential character of the area. Because of the <br />unique topography of the Property, it is not possible to reasonably screen the solar farm from <br />view of the surrounding properties and roadways. As stated above, the surrounding <br />properties are single family homes, farms, and a cemetery. Given that a large amount of <br />equipment must be installed on the Property (2,250 PV panels, inverters, switch gear, and <br />utility poles) and the large size of the equipment (the PV panels are 9-14 feet in height), the <br />solar farm will not be compatible with the surrounding single family homes, farm land, and <br />the cemetery that do not have large amounts of equipment installed on them and consist <br />generally of open space. <br />5)An additional required finding that is not met by the Application is that the proposed use will <br />not result in the destruction, loss, or damage of a natural or scenic feature of major <br />importance. The Property and the surrounding area consist of scenic farm land which is of a <br />major importance in the City. By installing the solar facilities on the Property, a large portion <br />of this scenic farm land will be lost. <br />6)The Property is unique because its topography, which is lower than surrounding areas but <br />also has rolling hills. The net result is that the proposed solar farm cannot by reasonably <br />screened from surrounding areas which causes it to have a greater impact on the surrounding <br />area. <br />DECISION <br />NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, and based upon the <br />information received and the above findings, that the City Council of the City of Lake Elmo <br />hereby denies the request by CEF Lake Elmo Community Solar, LLC for a Conditional Use <br />Permit for the construction and operation of a solar farm on the property located at 10755 50th <br />Street North.