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Enterprise Energy, LLC. Solar Farm Site Plan and IUP <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />4. Concern that the neighbor to the south would be burdened by glare from the panels being <br />on a fixed tilt system facing south <br />5. Health and safety concerns related to electromagnetic fields and materials within the <br />panels <br />a. The applicant stated that the interior materials of the panels are recyclable and <br />nontoxic, and that impacts from electromagnetic fields are negligible. <br />6. Concerns that the proposed solar farm will impede the way that stormwater drains from <br />the site and potential impacts to groundwater <br />a. The applicant is proposing stormwater management with a small pond in the <br />northwest corner of the site that captures runoff from the driveway and equipment <br />pad.. Staff has reviewed the applicant’s stormwater plan and is comfortable that <br />the runoff from the solar panels will not demonstrably change the way that <br />stormwater drains from the site. <br />7. Concerns with the wind sheer factor and the solar farm’s ability to withstand a high wind <br />event <br />a. The applicant stated that the racking materials are engineered to withstand up to <br />170 mph winds <br />8. Concerns that the proposed change in use will lower the value of adjacent properties <br />9. Concerns that Everton Avenue North is not a suitable road to handle increased traffic <br />during construction and throughout the lifespan of the solar farm <br />a. Staff has reviewed the proposal as it relates to traffic volumes and is of the <br />opinion that the construction will have a minimal increase in traffic volume and <br />not adversely impact the road surfacing. <br />10. Many residents stated that they felt the property is not zoned Agricultural since <br />Washington County taxes them for residential use <br />a. Staff indicated that the county property tax classification is different from zoning <br />and land use designation in the Comprehensive Plan <br /> <br />The Planning Commission discussed the requests and were generally comfortable that the <br />proposal meets the requirements in City Code to approve an IUP for a solar farm. The <br />Commissioners decided that they wanted to recommend the following additional conditions to <br />the IUP in order to mitigate some of the residents’ concerns: <br /> <br />1. The applicant shall plant trees that are at least 10 feet tall at the time of planting along the <br />southern portion of the solar array <br />2. The applicant shall use a chain link fence that is coated in black material. <br /> <br />The Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend that the City Council approve the <br />site plan and IUP requests, subject to the conditions in the approving resolution. <br /> <br />1. DESCRIPTION OF REQUEST: <br /> <br />The applicant is requesting approval of a site plan and an interim use permit for a solar farm located <br />east of Everton Avenue North and north of 149th Street North. <br /> <br />2. BACKGROUND: