2018.09.17 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Hugo City Council Meeting Minutes for September 17, 2018 Page 6 of 8 fifth year, and then every five years. He talked about the road being a five -ton and how it could be destroyed by their equipment. He requested the Council protect the City’s investment in the roads. Meriel presented a petition to the Council signed by 39 residents in opposition of the solar power plant. She requested a study be done at the applicants expense to determine the amount of escrow that should be collected for decommission. She suggest a lien be put on the property if there was not enough escrow to cover expenses. She also talked about TV, cell phone, and Wi-Fi interruptions and the harmful effect on animals. She also requested a study be done to determine how the plan affected their property values. James Gregoire, 16720 Henna Avenue North, stated he agreed with the other parties that spoke, and he added that the road along the west property line should extend all the way to the north (instead of stopping in the middle as shown on the plan) to provide for easier eme rgency access. He also talked about the screening being inadequate on the east. Applicant Chuck Biesner, 601 Carlson Parkway, Minnetonka, agreed with all of staff’s recommendations, and he stated he has heard these comments from the public multiple times. He stated he could shift the garden to the east to provide for another row of trees on the west. He said the height of the panels are 12 feet and will be fixed system. He felt the six foot trees will grow quickly, and said his landscape budget was near $70,000. He said he could extend the driveway to the end of the project with class-five rock. Weidt asked about grass, and Beisner replied that there would be native grass under the panels and mowed a few times a year. Weidt talked about the likeliness that they would need to start up the panels up to make sure they work, and this may be before the landscape is in. Beisner said they also needed to plant when it was the best time of year to plant. He added that the construction company put together the escrow amount, and he knows of no WI-FI interruptions. Petryk questioned if the panels were different than those used on homes, since they would be in very close proximity and she has never heard of any issues. Beisner stated they were the same panels, and there are also many farms in close proximity of animals with no issues. Beisner addressed the heat island effect by saying the panels absorb as much heat as possible. He also stated he would work with the construction company on the logistics of the five-ton road. Weidt asked Rachel about protection should they go bankrupt. Rachel replied there could be a transfer of an IUP, and if it was not operating for 12 months, they would begin decommissioning, and there would be more than enough money for t he removal. Miron said he would support taller trees, and they should be setback far enough to not impede upon the neighboring property. Weidt said he thought it excessive to request 15-foot trees due to expense, and an 8-foot tree would grow tall enough in a few years. He agreed that the road needed to go all the way along the project . Miron talked about inspections and staff involvement. Rachel stated she would be inspecting and would add additional inspections to the permit. Snyder stated that an IUP, is an interim use, and contains conditions that, if violated, the permit