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CITY OF HUGO <br />COUNTY OF WASHINGTON <br />ORDINANCE NO. 2023-______ <br />AN INTERIM ORDINANCE EXTENDING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON NEW DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR FARM SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND DIRECTING A STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED <br />NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Hugo does ordain: <br />SECTION 1. <br />BACKGROUND. <br />WHEREAS, the City Council adopted an Ordinance 2016-475 SOLAR ENERGY <br />SYSTEMS on January 4, 2016; <br />WHEREAS, the Planning Commission and City Council have adopted goals for 2023 to <br />review and study the Solar Energy Systems ordinance in regards to Solar Farms to ensure the <br />ordinance adequately addresses the public health, safety and general welfare of the <br />community; <br />WHEREAS, the City has determined that a study shall be conducted to review the ordinance <br />to determine whether to revise or add any regulation or restrictions, including siting and <br />location of use, performance standards, and screening of Solar Farms. <br />WHEREAS, the City has determined that the section of the ordinance regarding Accessory <br />Solar Energy Systems adequately addresses the public health, safety, and general welfare of <br />the community, and are exempt from the moratorium. Such systems are for accessory use and <br />predominantly serve on-site users. <br />WHEREAS, to provide adequate time for study, analysis, and the finalization of City Code <br />amendments regarding Solar Farms or to preserve the status quo within the City, the City <br />desires to enact an interim ordinance on the applications for and the issuance of permits for <br />Solar Farms. <br />WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 462.355, subd. 4, the City is authorized to enact by <br />ordinance a moratorium to regulate, restrict or prohibit any use within the jurisdiction to <br />protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Specifically, the City is authorized to enact a <br />moratorium ordinance to allow it to undertake a study to determine whether to revise or add <br />any regulations or restrictions, including siting and location of use, performance standards, <br />and screening of Solar Farms. <br />WHEREAS, on February 6, 2023, the City Council adopted an interim Ordinance #2023-522 <br />to place a moratorium on solar farm solar energy systems. <br />WHEREAS, Ordinance #2023-522 is set to expire August 6, 2023.