2023.06.12 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Council Meeting Minutes for June 12, 2023 Page 9 of 12 conditions that could be proposed. She explained that most of the proposed changes by the ORC included the performance standards such as increased setbacks, limiting the size of solar farms to five acres, pollinator friendly plants, and vegetation at least six feet tall with a management plan. The ORC also proposed imposing additional setbacks based on the type of landscaping. She recommended the Council discuss the ORC’s proposed revisions and authorize a public hearing to be held at the Planning Commission on the revisions. She said the Council could also send it back to the ORC if the Council wanted it to be reviewed by them further. The moratorium would expire on August 6, 2023, and in order to provide notice for a public hearing on the ordinance revisions, she recommended the adoption of an ordinance extending the moratorium an additional six-months. Strub asked about the five-acre maximum rationale. Juba explained the ORC wanted solar farms limited to one megawatt, and one megawatt was typically five acres. Miron, recalled that the recommendation was not driven by energy production but by visual appearance of the solar farm. Maybe over time when solar farms become more efficient, more energy could be produced on a smaller footprint. Petryk asked if an applicant could ask for a variance from the five acres. Juba replied it was a performance standard, and it could be requested if there was a compelling reason. Petryk asked about the types of pollinator plants. Juba replied that a landscape plan would be required and be part of the maintenance of the site. Weidt’s opinion was he liked the five-acre limit and could fit into a neighborhood without a lot of impact. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to approve. ORDINANCE NO. 2023- 526 EXTENDING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON NEW DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR FARM SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND DIRECTING A STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED. Miron added that there was a desire to not overly restrict residents’ property rights but to make sure it fits the landscape. He felt it was important to point out that the current project on 165th exceeds the proposed performance standards. All Ayes. Motion carried. Miron made motion, Petryk seconded, to direct staff to proceed with the proposed provisions and schedule a public hearing at the Planning Commission. All Ayes. Motion carried. Approve Proposal to Develop North Star Wetland Bank Prospectus Parks Planner Shayla Denaway provided an update on North Star Wetland Bank. At the Council meeting of May 22, 2022, authorization was given to WSB and Associates to do vegetation and hydrology monitoring and prepare a draft prospectus (scope) for the North Star Wetland Bank. In