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Agenda Number D.1 <br />CITY OF HUGO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT <br />DEPARTMENT <br />PLANNING AND ZONING APPLICATION <br />STAFF REPORT <br />TO: Planning Commission <br />FROM: Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant <br />SUBJECT: FastSun 4, LLC. Interim Use Permit for a Solar Farm located north of <br />165th Street North and west of Henna Avenue North. <br />DATE: July 16, 2018 for the Planning Commission Meeting of July 26, 2018 <br />ZONING: Future Urban Service (FUS) <br />LAND USE: Low Density Residential (LD) <br />REVIEW DEADLINE: October 4, 2018 (Extended) <br />1. DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST: <br />The applicant is requesting approval of an interim use permit for a solar farm located north of 165th <br />Street North and west of Henna Avenue North. <br />2. BACKGROUND: <br />On January 4, 2016 the City Council adopted an ordinance regulating the use of solar energy <br />systems. This ordinance was created through the City's Ordinance Review Committee and went <br />through the process of approval for an ordinance, including publication/notice, a public hearing at <br />the Planning Commission, and City Council approval. <br />The vacant property is 30 acres and is located within the Future Urban Service zoning district. The <br />applicant has stated that they will be leasing the western 19.8 acres of the property. The applicant <br />is proposing to install a solar farm consisting of approximately 5 acres of used land in the northwest <br />corner for the use of a solar energy system and installation of solar panels. This request requires <br />approval of an interim use permit (IUP). <br />The applicant has indicated that this solar farm will produce approximately one (1) megawatt <br />(MW) of power. Although solar capacity is dependent on average sunshine, average household <br />electricity consumption, and temperature and wind; one megawatt of solar capacity can power <br />approximately 164 homes on average. The applicant has stated that Xcel Energy will be <br />purchasing the power generated by the panels to assist them in meeting the State's mandate for use <br />of renewable energy. The applicant has also indicated that Xcel customers may be able to <br />