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Enterprise Energy, LLC. Solar Farm Site Plan and IUP Page 3 In 2016, the City Council adopted an ordinance regulating the use of solar energy systems, and the first and thus far only solar farm project was approved in 2018. In 2023, the Planning Commission and City Council identified reviewing the solar energy systems ordinance as it relates to solar farms as a goal for the year, due to an increased interest in solar farm development and related feedback from the community. The Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) recommended revisions to the performance standards for solar farms which were approved by the City Council on July 24th, 2023. The vacant property is approximately 12 acres and is located within the Agricultural (AG) zoning district. The applicant is proposing to install a solar farm on 5 acres of land in the center of the property for the use of a solar energy system and installation of solar panels. This request requires approval of an interim use permit (IUP). The applicant has indicated that this solar farm will produce approximately one (1) megawatt (MW) of power. 3. LEVEL OF CITY DISCRETION IN DECISION-MAKING: The City’s discretion in approving or denying a site plan is limited to whether or not the proposed project complies with the Comprehensive Plan and Zoning O rdinance requirements. If it meets these standards, the City must then approve the site plan. The City’s discretion in approving or denying an Interim Use Permit use permit is limited to whether or not the permit meets the standards outlined in the Comprehensive Land Use Regulations. If it meets these standards, the City must approve the interim use permit. 4. CONTEXT: A. Surrounding Land Use and Zoning The property is currently zoned Agricultural (AG) and guided for Large Lot Residential (LL) in the 2040 Land Use Plan. The surrounding properties to the north, west, and south are also zoned Agricultural and guided as Large Lot Residential, consisting of lots ranging from approximately 9-12 acres in size. The properties to the east are zoned Planned Unit Development (PUD), guided as Medium Density Residential (MD) in the 2040 Land Use Plan, and consist of townhomes in the Waters Edge development. This property is outside of the Municipal Urban Service Area (MUSA), but it is on the border with the townhome properties to the east being connected to municipal sewer and water. B. Natural Characteristics of Site The property is approximately 12 acres, and the applicant has indicated that the solar array will be constructed on approximately 5 acres in the center of the property. The property has some gently rolling terrain, with its lowest point in the south-central portion. The property contains approximately 3.6 acres of wetland.