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Biesner stated that he will answer the questions asked by both the public and the Commission. <br />Chair Kleissler re -opened the public hearing at 7:23 p.m. <br />Meriel McClintock of 7260 165th St N approached the podium. McClintock stated that the solar <br />farm will be placed 50 feet from her property and refers to the fact that the proposed structure <br />will be too close to her property. McClintock's main concern was the possible contaminants that <br />may be found within the solar panels. She stated that if the solar panels are damaged, potentially <br />toxic contaminants could leak from the solar panels and pollute the surrounding environment as <br />well as contaminate nearby drinking water. McClintock provided the Commission and Staff with <br />hard -copy documents which describe the harmful effects of the toxic contaminants that may be <br />found within the solar panels. McClintock also defined the difference between a solar garden, a <br />solar farm, and a solar plant. McClintock presented images that she had taken of the solar panel <br />installment located in Corcoran, Minnesota. McClintock also presented an image of her property <br />and identified the areas that will be covered by the solar farm. Lastly, McClintock stated that the <br />possible contamination of nearby drinking water is a serious issue that should be taken into <br />consideration. <br />Katy Weyandt of 7250 165th Street N approached the podium. Weyandt's main concern was that <br />the proposed solar farm does not fit in with the character of the surrounding community. <br />Weyandt went on to explain that the neighborhood in which the solar farm is being proposed is a <br />tightly knit community which spends a considerable amount of time together hosting events such <br />as a 9/11 memorial parade and barbeques. Weyandt explained that the land being used for the <br />solar farm is land that is used by children and adults living within the area and that the solar farm <br />will eliminate nearby residents' ability to utilize the land. The solar farm may also be hazardous <br />to children. Weyandt, with assistance from McClintock, presented boards depicting images of <br />the land and surrounding area being used by residents within the neighborhood. Weyandt then <br />explained that solar farms placed in other areas within Minnesota, including the one located in <br />the City of Corcoran, are not located near the properties of residents. Weyandt mentioned that <br />many of the residents within the area moved to their present location because they wanted to <br />enjoy country lifestyle and do not want to see developments unfit for the area, including a solar <br />farm. Lastly, Weyandt voiced concerns of the financial stability of the owner of Sunrise Energy <br />Ventures, which oversees FastSun 4, LLC. <br />Therese Rudy of 7375 165th Street N approached the podium. Rudy's main concern was the <br />reflection produced by the panels and states that a large buffer will be required in order for the <br />solar farm to not be visible to nearby residents and that the proposed trees being used as a buffer <br />will not be tall enough to obstruct the view of the solar farm. Rudy also voiced concerns <br />regarding electromagnetic interference created by the solar panels and the affect it will have on <br />nearby technology. Rudy also stated that the solar farm will produce some noise and that if <br />electrical poles are installed near the solar farm, there is an increased risk of a lightning strike <br />within the area. Rudy then mentioned that solar panels kill thousands of birds as well as the fact <br />that the solar farm will decrease surrounding property values. <br />James Gregoire of 16720 Henna Avenue approached the podium. Gregoire stated that he has not <br />yet seen a schematic plan he had requested pertaining to the proposed solar farm. Gregoire also <br />