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FastSun 4, LLC. Solar Farm IUP <br />Page 4 <br />deciduous shrub. The leaves will fall off in the winter, therefore, staff recommends the applicant <br />install coniferous trees to meet ordinance standards. The TEP has also made it a requirement that <br />plantings selected for installation within the wetlands must be native in Minnesota. Staff will <br />continue to work with the applicant on the landscape plan. <br />All landscaping will be required to meet section 90-181 — Landscaping. in regards to sizes of <br />plantings and minimum installation requirements. <br />(e) The owner/ operator of the solar farm shall provide the city with evidence that the solar energy <br />system is functioning properly. This shall be provided at any time deemed necessary by the city. <br />The applicant has provided the City with an operation and maintenance plan. This plan states that <br />the system will have real-time monitoring using the facility's meteorological station, energy meter, <br />and SCADA system. Within this plan it also indicates that there will be routine maintenance of <br />the facility including road maintenance, fence and gate inspection, and lighting system checks. It <br />shall be noted within the IUP that the owner/operator of the solar farm shall provide the City with <br />evidence that the system is functioning properly at any time deemed necessary by the City. <br />(f) The owner/operator shall submit a decommissioning plan for the solar farm to ensure that the <br />owner/operator properly removes the equipment and facilities upon the end of the project life, <br />abandonment, expiration, or termination of the interim use permit. This decommissioning plan <br />must meet requirements outlined in the City code. <br />The applicant has provided the City with a decommissioning plan for the solar farm. The City's <br />ordinance states that the owner/operator of the solar farm shall provide a current -day <br />decommissioning cost estimate and shall post financial security in a form acceptable by the city. <br />The City is requiring the owner operator to submit this required information as well as a cash <br />escrow prior to the issuance of a building permit. The applicant's decommissioning plan meets <br />City requirements outlined in the code, including the removal of all equipment and structures <br />within 90 days after the system has been inoperative for 12 months as well as the restoration of the <br />site. The decommissioning plan requirements will be noted in the applicant's IUP. <br />5. CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL OF A SOLAR FARM INTERIM USE PERMIT: <br />An application for a home occupation interim use permit may only be granted upon a finding that <br />all the following criteria have been met: <br />(a) The applicant owns the property or has secured a proper lease agreement on the property, <br />unless the city council determines that unique conditions or circumstances warrant special <br />arrangement. <br />The applicant has a lease agreement with the property owner of the property in question. <br />(b) The proposed solar farm is allowed as a principle use in the respective zoning district and <br />conforms to this chapter. <br />4 <br />