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Memorandum <br /> <br /> <br />To: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />From: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director <br />Date: March 17, 2023 <br />Re: City Council and Planning Commission Joint Workshop <br /> Discussion on Solar Energy Systems Ordinance – Solar Farms <br /> <br /> <br />1. BACKGROUND: <br /> <br />The Planning Commission and City Council have included reviewing the Solar Energy Systems <br />ordinance in their goals for 2023. The ordinance was adopted by the City Council in 2016. At its <br />February 6, 2023, meeting the City Council approved a 6-month moratorium for any <br />consideration or approvals of Solar Farms and directed staff to schedule a joint workshop with <br />the Planning Commission. The goal of the workshop to review the existing ordinance and to <br />discuss whether or not revisions should be made to the ordinance. <br /> <br />2. EXISTING ORDINANCE: <br /> <br />The existing ordinance regulated two types of solar energy systems, Accessory Solar Energy <br />Systems and Solar Farms. Accessory Solar Energy Systems are individual systems such as solar <br />panels on residential homes or the roofs of commercial and industrial buildings. Solar Farms <br />are large systems with multiple panels that produce energy for wholesale subscribers. The <br />moratorium is only on Solar Farms. <br /> <br />Solar Farms <br /> <br />Solar Farms are allowed with an interim use permit (IUP) approved by the City. <br /> <br />Performance Standards for Solar Farms <br /> <br />a) Solar Farms are required to be located on a minimum lot size of ten acres within the <br />Long Term Agricultural (LA), Agricultural (AG), Rural Residential (RR), and Future Urban <br />Service (FUS) zoning districts. Solar farms may also be located in any other zoning <br />district only in the floodplain, as long as all other conditions are met. <br />b) Solar farms shall be 50 feet from all property lines and public road rights-of-way. <br />c) Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point <br />when oriented at maximum tilt. <br />d) Solar farms shall be enclosed by approved perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative <br />buffer for screening. Exception may be granted if the natural landscape provides <br />screening from all public right of ways and neighboring properties.