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<br />April 17, 2013 Staff Report <br />Page 2 <br /> <br /> <br />Sustainability, Green Building, Renewable Energy, Etc. <br /> <br />Another topic that the City Council would like expand and encourage more of is the use of solar <br />energy, renewable energy, etc. There has been a lot of activity and articles in the last several <br />years regarding these topics as more residents and businesses install renewable energy systems, <br />buy more fuel efficient vehicles and become more aware of the financial and environmental <br />impacts that these changes can make. A simple way that the City can promote renewable energy <br />is to have City Codes that don’t hinder the installation of these systems. Our City Code does <br />make it more difficult by requiring a property owner to go through the conditional use permit <br />process to install a solar system, but requires nothing except a building permit to install a wind <br />generator. These sections of the City Code should be reviewed and amended. <br /> <br />The nearby cities of Roseville and St. Anthony have strongly embraced promoting sustainability in <br />their communities. Both cities have a lot of information on their websites about how to live <br />greener, recycling, composting, etc. St. Anthony has adopted a “Sustainability Plan” with goals <br />and guides for residents, businesses and city government activities and development. <br /> <br />Recommendation <br /> <br />Begin the discussion about City Code amendments that would promote and support development <br />and renewable energy systems. <br /> <br /> <br />Sincerely, <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Heidi Heller <br />Planning Associate <br /> <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />1. Zoning Code Sections 1103.04 and 1104.05