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FastSun 4, LLC. Solar Farm IUP Page 3 2. DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST: The applicant is requesting approval of an interim use permit for a solar farm located north of 165a' Street North and west of Henna Avenue North. 3. BACKGROUND: On January 4, 2016 the City Council adopted an ordinance regulating the use of solar energy systems. This ordinance was created through the City's Ordinance Review Committee and went through the process of approval for an ordinance, including publication/notice, a public hearing at the Planning Commission, and City Council approval. The vacant property is 30 acres and is located within the Future Urban Service zoning district. The applicant has stated that they will be leasing the western 19.8 acres of the property. The applicant is proposing to install a solar farm consisting of approximately 5 acres of used land in the northwest corner for the use of a solar energy system and installation of solar panels. This request requires approval of an interim use permit (IUP). The applicant has indicated that this solar farm will produce approximately one (1) megawatt (MW) of power. Although solar capacity is dependent on average sunshine, average household electricity consumption, and temperature and wind; one megawatt of solar capacity can power approximately 164 homes on average. The applicant has stated that Xcel Energy will be purchasing the power generated by the panels to assist them in meeting the State's mandate for use of renewable energy. The applicant has also indicated that Xcel customers may be able to subscribe to a share of the electrical output from the project, as well. Because Xcel is the only utility currently offering incentives for solar energy systems, the project will only be within Xcel's territory. The line between Xcel and Conexus territory intersects this property, which is why the applicant is renting only the western 19.8 acres of the 30 acre property. 4. LEVEL OF CITY DISCRETION IN DECISION-MAKING: The City's discretion in approving or denying an Interim Use Permit use permit is limited to whether or not the permit meets the standards outlined in the Comprehensive Land Use Regulations. If it meets these standards, the City must approve the interim use permit. 5. CONTEXT: A. Surrounding Land Use and Zoning The property is currently zoned Future Urban Service (FUS) and guided for Low Density Residential (LD) in the 2030 Land Use Plan. Currently, the surrounding properties are generally large acreages occupied by single family homes with agricultural uses occurring on the remaining land. This property is within the Municipal Sewer Service Area (MUSA), however is right on the border with the properties to the south guided as Agricultural (outside of the service area) and properties to the north guided as Low Density Residential (inside of the service area). 3