2024.05.06 CC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for May 6, 2024 Page 9 of 13 address them and do it in a way that makes people happy. He talked about other solar panels in the neighborhood saying the only difference was that these were on the ground. He said the City had done a good job protecting the aesthetics of the neighborhood by requiring setbacks. In addition to the vegetation management plan, they also did a tree survey so the impact would be extremely minimal. Evan said the property was outside the MUSA, which he felt was a very important characteristic, along with the owner of the property not being able to put a well and septic on it, so this would be a productive way to utilize the land. A full SWPP was also done. He commented on the City’s requirements that are reflected on the site plan saying they are very robust, and he hoped he could gain respect from people by doing a good job. Mayor Weidt opened it up for other comments. John David Udstuen, 15190 Everton Avenue North, stated he was speaking on behalf of the entire neighborhood who are 100% opposed. He said that per the ordinance, the solar farm was to be compatible with the present character of the surrounding area, and this was not compatible. Udstuen said he had countless reason why it was not but would only focus on a few. They have large lots with single family homes and lots of open space with mature trees and wildlife. It’s become a walking area for the surrounding community, and he has had to explain that it was private property to residents who think it is a nature preserve. He said it’s 160 acres with less than two dozen homes, and a very special place. He commented on the City’s part in protecting the land when the Everton Avenue Coalition was created to keep it from development. He talked about the word “AG” being created to preserve and protect the character neighborhoods and keep 10-acre minimums. Udstuen described it as a jewel of the community, something to be proud of. He talked about some of the properties being listed as a green corridor according to the Parks Plan. He said that is the true character of the neighborhood, open and undisturbed land. He said the main portion of the request for denial will be presented by Laura. Laura Syring, 15149 Everton Avenue North, said she has been a resident for the past 21 years. She read a letter that they had sent to the City Council and Mayor addressing their concerns. In the letter, the history of the neighborhood and its residents was provided to show the character of the area. This letter will be retained as part of the official record. Daniel Skaar, 13857 Geneva Avenue North, had questions to ask. He wanted to know if the City was under any renewable mandate; who was getting/buying the power and what was the contract; were there output goals, power purchase agreements, and performance guarantees; what would happen if he couldn’t get these agreements with Xcel; and was there a substation on this property. He noted the property was adjacent to a power line. He said he had done a lot of solar projects in California, and he found this location to be a bit awkward. He said it would be helpful to see some analog from other municipalities that have put this type of solar array in this type of environment. Carlson responded to some of the questions explaining this would be a community solar garden, and when they put power in the grid, they get grid credits rather than selling it right to a utility. There was no substation and would go right into the line that goes into people’s houses. The bill credit was then sold to people, known as subscribers, who don’t have a good spot for solar panels. He explained how it was different than the utility scale development that plugs into the transmission lines, which is a federal interconnection process. He said that it was different than community solar, which provided solar to people that do not have a good spot. Carlson said they