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Mounds View Planning Commission July 9, 2013 <br />Regular Meeting Page 2 <br />________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br /> <br />4. Citizens Requests and Comments on Items Not on the Agenda <br /> <br />None. <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />5. Planning Cases <br /> <br />None. <br />______________________________________________________________________________ <br /> <br />6. Other Planning Activity <br /> <br />A. Renewable Energy Code Amendment <br /> <br />Planning Associate Heller commented the Commission started discussion on the Zoning Code in <br />regards to renewable energy system installations, such as solar energy, wind generators or <br />geothermal systems. She reviewed the language that has been pulled together for the ordinance <br />and recommended wind turbines proceed as a conditional use. She requested further comment <br />from the Commission. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson supported having wind turbines as a conditional use due to the fact a <br />neighborhood would be affected by its installation. <br /> <br />Discussion ensured regarding a solar system currently installed in Mounds View. The <br />Commission was in favor of having solar panels not exceed the roof peak by more than three feet <br />in the R-1 zoning district. <br /> <br />Commissioner Love did not object to the visual appearance of solar panels. She questioned how <br />large solar panels could be. She recommended the City invite a solar panel vendor to speak to <br />the Commission at a future meeting. <br /> <br />Chair Stevenson asked what qualified as a ‘large’ or ‘small’ wind turbine. <br /> <br />Associate Heller stated there could be industry standards for these terms and she would look into <br />this further and report back to the Commission. <br /> <br />Commissioner Love inquired if two homeowners could share a wind turbine. <br /> <br />Associate Heller indicated this could only be completed if all setback requirements within the <br />ordinance were met. She stated requests may come before the City in the future and a variance <br />could be considered by the Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Discussion ensued regarding tree replacement plans and the criteria for approval for wind <br />turbines.