Laserfiche WebLink
Memorandum <br /> <br /> <br />To: Bryan Bear, City Administrator <br />From: Max Gort, Associate Planner <br />Date: July 19, 2023 for the City Council Meeting of July 24, 2023 <br />Re: Revisions to the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance <br /> <br /> <br />1. PLANNING COMMISSION UPDATE: <br /> <br />At its July 13, 2023 meeting, the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing and considered the <br />proposed amendments to the solar energy systems ordinance. Four members of the public, <br />including two residents and two solar developers, spoke during the public hearing with <br />concerns and comments regarding the following: <br /> <br />• A suggestion was made to have the IUP duration start at the time of operation and <br />production of energy. <br />• It was suggested that the proposed increased setbacks might limit development on <br />smaller lots. <br />• There was some desire to allow larger solar farms than the proposed limit of 5 acres. <br />• There were questions about whether the proposed changes regarding landscaping will <br />adequately screen solar farms from view. <br />• There were questions about whether the owner/operator will be required to maintain <br />landscaping. <br />• There were concerns about trespassing. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission discussed these comments and the proposed revisions to the <br />ordinance. The Planning Commission agreed that the proposed changes meet the goals <br />identified at the joint workshop and the ORC meetings. Commissioner Petty made a motion to <br />amend subsection (d), subsection (9), expiration and termination, to specify that the term of <br />operation set in the IUP shall begin at the start of operation. Following discussion, the Planning <br />Commission unanimously recommended approval of the proposed amendments to the <br />ordinance regulating solar energy systems. <br /> <br /> <br />2. BACKGROUND: <br /> <br />In 2016, the City Council approved an ordinance relating to and regulating accessory solar <br />energy systems and solar farms. The term accessory solar energy systems refers to solar panels <br />that generate power for onsite use and is deemed accessory to the primary use onsite. The <br />term solar farms refer to solar arrays that are the primary land use onsite and generate energy <br />for wholesale to subscribers. The City has a higher level of discretion in approving solar farms <br />than accessory solar energy systems. The current ordinance allows for solar farms to be <br />constructed subject to an Interim Use Permit (IUP) and several other criteria of approval <br />I.1