2023.07.24 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Council Meeting Minutes for July 24, 2023 Page 4 of 6 Approve Shores of Oneka Lake, Outlot B Wetland Replacement Plan Fenway Land Company had requested to impact a .5-acre wetland for future development of Outlot B, The Shores of Oneka Lake. The City had not approved any development application or development of the property with the wetland replacement plan. Any development of the site would require approval from the City. The applicant proposed to replace the impacts to the wetland basin though the purchase of wetland credits from an approved wetland bank. Adoption of the Consent Agenda approved the wetland replacement plan, subject to final Technical Evaluation Panel issuance of the Notice of Decision for the wetland replacement application. Discussion and Approval of Solar Ordinance and Summary Ordinance Community Development Director Rachel Juba provide background on the review of the Solar Energy Systems Ordinance. At its June 12, 2023, meeting, Council extended the moratorium on the new development of solar farm solar energy systems for six months. The Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) had met several times to determine potential revisions to the ordinance and proposed several revisions to the performance standards and conditions of approval. Proposed changes included increasing the setbacks to 200 feet, five-acre size limit, and requirements for six-feet tall vegetation for screening, pollinator friendly plants, and a vegetation management plan. It was also proposed to include imposing addition setbacks based on conditions. Planning Commission held a Public Hearing at its July 13, 2023, meeting and took public comments. There was discussion on setbacks, screening, and trespassing. The Planning Commission had unanimously recommended approval of the proposed changes including language to have the duration of the Interim Use Permit begin when the solar farm went into operation. Klein and Miron were on the ORC and agreed it met what the committee had talked about to maintain property rights with the understanding that this type of development has impacts. Klein made motion, Miron seconded, to approve ORDINANCE 2023-528 AMENDING CHAPTER 90 – ZONING AND LAND USE, ARTICLE VI – REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC USES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, SECTION 90-278 – SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS, AS IT RELATES TO SOLAR FARMS. Roll call vote- Ayes: Klein, Miron, Strub, Weidt Nay: None Motion carried. Miron made, motion, Klein seconded, to approve SUMMARY ORDINANCE 2023-528, A SUMMARY OF AMENDED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS ORDINANCE. Roll call vote- Ayes: Klein, Miron, Strub, Weidt Nay: None Motion carried.