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Item No: 6A <br />Meeting Date: June 5, 2013 <br />Type of Business: Other Planning Activity <br /> <br />City of Mounds View Staff Report <br />To: Planning Commission <br />From: Heidi Heller, Planning Associate <br />Item Title/Subject: Renewable Energy Code Amendment <br /> <br /> <br />The Planning Commission has started discussion on reviewing the Zoning Code in regards to <br />renewable energy system installations, such as solar energy, wind generators or geothermal <br />systems. The City should update the City Code to help promote renewable energy systems and <br />not hinder or make it difficult for a property owner to install a system. There is now a lot of <br />information available about these systems, and the City can make better decisions about how and <br />where renewable energy system installations are done. <br /> <br />At the May 15, 2013 Planning Commission meeting, Brian Ross with CR Planning, gave a <br />presentation about renewable energy and how cities are important partners in helping more <br />systems get installed. Mr. Ross is providing assistance to local governments who are amending <br />their City Codes for renewable energy systems to adapt the best practices to local conditions and <br />priorities in permitting and zoning. Minnesota has good solar potential, even with its cold and dark <br />reputation. <br /> <br />There are good examples of adopted ordinances from other cities for Mounds View to review - <br />Maplewood, Mahtomedi and St. Paul, along with the Model Sustainable Development Ordinance <br />that was provided by Mr.Ross. The other part of how local governments can be a better partner to <br />encourage renewable energy systems is the permit process and fees. City Staff will develop new <br />policies, applications and fees specifically for these systems. <br /> <br />The three types of renewable energy systems that Mounds View should consider adopting new <br />regulations for are solar energy, wind generators and geo-thermal systems. Solar energy and <br />wind systems will need the most discussion since their components are all outside of the structure <br />and above ground. Geo-thermal systems are mostly underground except for a heat pump and <br />don’t require much language for the City Code. The main issues to address for geo-thermal <br />systems would be setback requirements from property lines, not encroaching on easements, <br />specific requirements that the equipment must meet. <br /> <br />Solar technology options in Minnesota: <br /> <br />• Photovoltaic (PV) or solar electricity. Modules produce electricity from sunlight using <br />semi-conductor technology (solar panels) <br />o Roof mounted systems – attached to the building’s roof <br /> Flush mounted <br /> Non flush mounted <br />o Ground mounted systems – Free standing systems on a pole or a rack. <br /> Stationary (pole or rack) <br /> Tracking (pole mounted, rotates to follow the sun) <br />o Building integrated systems. Solar system is built into a building component, such <br />as a shingle or roof tile, an awning, or a gazebo.