2018.09.17 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for September 17, 2018 Page 5 of 8 Interim Use Permit (IUP) for a Solar Farm located north of 165th Street and west of Henna Avenue North Community Development Director Rachel Juba explained that Fast Sun, LLC, was requesting approval of an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for a solar farm to be located north of 165th Street North and west of Henna Avenue North. The property is 30 acres that would be leased to the applicant, and the farm is proposed to be on five acres in the northwest corner of the property. The property is zoned Future Urban Services and guided Low Density in the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. There are 13 acres of wetland on the property, and the applicant is seeking approval from the Technical Evaluation Panel for pilings and the access drive off 165th Street. This farm will be able to provide power for 165 homes, and power is proposed to be purchased by Xcel Energy. Rachel explained the farm will be fenced, and she reviewed the landscaping plan. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and considered the req uest at its July 26, 2018, and August 23, 2018, meetings. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the IUP for a solar farm with a vote of 3-2. Rachel reviewed the comments from the public at the hearings and the comments and recommendations made by the Planning Commission. Recommendations related to revisions to the landscape plan, gate on the driveway entrance, review of the IUP every five years, information on decommissioning, design of the panels, health and safety impacts, and information on the stormwater plan. Rachel talked about the revisions that had been made to the plan, performance standards for solar farms, and criteria that needed to be met for approval. She stated that it was staff’s opinion that it met the intent and standards o f the ordinance, and staff recommended approval subject to the conditions in the IUP. Mayor Weidt noted that this item was not scheduled as a public hearing, but he invited audience members to speak. Annie Gregoire, 16720 Henna Avenue North, and Amy Jorgenson, 16613 Henna Avenue North, approached the podium. Annie spoke about the character of the neighborhood and the reasons why they built their homes where they did. Amy referred to the criteria regarding compatibility and questioned how an industrial project fit into the neighborhood. She talked about a “heat island” and how it would affect the environment. She stated that studies have proven that chemicals are released during construction and decommission, or in case of a break. Annie said that thing s may seem safe in the beginning but could be harmful. She asked the Council to reconsider this new trend. Dan Riopel and Meriel McClintock, 7260 165th Street North, talked about the landscaping stating they would like to see 15-foot trees instead of t he proposed six to eight -foot since the panels were 15 feet tall. The y also requested the trees on the west side of the site be 30 feet from property line to allow for growth without encroaching on the neighboring property. It was their opinion that the t rees on the east side would not block or screen. They stated there needed to be a lockbox on the gate entrance for City and emergency access. Dan talked about the driveway through the wetland. He wanted it to at least be gravel, and he cautioned against putting water on the neighboring property. He also commented on maintenance saying it should be done monthly and all landscaping should be completed entirely before going online. It should also be inspected upon completion and inspected for maintenance the first, second, and