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CITY OF HUGO <br /> COUNTY OF WASHINGTON <br /> ORDINANCE NO.2023-526 <br /> AN INTERIM ORDINANCE EXTENDING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON <br /> NEW DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR FARM SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND <br /> 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. <br /> k <br />