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June 5, 2013 Staff Report <br />Page 2 <br />• Solar Thermal. Collectors capture sunlight and transfer heat for water or space heating. <br />This system involves a large black box attached to the side of a house that collects heat <br />from the direct sunlight, which is then transferred into the house. <br />• Passive Solar. Uses the basic structural elements of a building, careful site selection, and <br />various homebuilding strategies to provide daylighting, ventilation or heat. <br />Discussion topics: <br />- Visibility and design standards — <br />o How important is it that the solar systems be hidden, disguised or screened from <br />view? Which view? From the street only? All sides? <br />o Allow non -flush -mounted panels that would be angled from or be higher than the <br />roof? <br />- Freestanding solar energy systems — consider as accessory buildings? They would then <br />simply follow the height, setback and square footage requirements that are already in <br />place. <br />- Should wind generators be allowed? They are typically not productive in most urban areas <br />and have noise issues. <br />o Not allow wind generators unless the turbine can beat least 200 feet away from any <br />other structure <br />o And/or only allow on industrial zoned properties (including industrial PUD <br />properties). <br />- Home Owner's Associations- should solar development rights be ensured in common <br />interest communities? <br />- Address solar energy installations as a primary land use? Example: a vacant parcel is <br />used as a solar panel "farm" <br />Recommendation <br />Begin the discussion about City Code amendments for renewable energy systems. <br />Sincerely, <br />Heidi Heller <br />Planning Associate <br />Attachments: <br />1. Mounds Vicky Zoning Code for solar mercy and wind generator.; <br />2. Maplewood's [renewable Energy Systemic Ordinance <br />3. Mahtornedi's Zoning Ordinance <br />4. St. Paul's Design Standards and Guidelines for Solar Energy Systems <br />5. Model Sustainable Development Ordinance <br />