2024.08.05 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Meeting Minutes for July 15, 2024 Page 6 of 7 citing it did not meet the character of the area. At its June 17, 2024, meeting, Council discussed the direction needed for the ordinance, and several Councilmembers stated that they would like to gather public feedback on the prohibition of solar farms prior to restarting the ordinance review process that had been completed in 2023. The City Council directed staff to draft a text amendment that would prohibit solar farms within the City. With the Council’s direction, staff has drafted text amendments to Sec. 90-1 Definitions and Sec. 90-278(d) Solar Energy Systems that would prohibit solar farms, not including accessory solar. The Planning Commission held a public hearing at its July 11, 2024, meeting to consider the text amendment as drafted. Associate Planner Max Gort reviewed the most current revisions adopted by Council in July 2023 that increased setbacks to 100 feet from property lines and 200 feet from roads and dwellings, limited array size to five acres, and provided for more strict screening and landscaping requirements. Max provided a recap of the April 11, 2024, Planning Commission public hearing saying several in attendance spoke on both sides of the issue. Those in favor talked about renewable energy, property owners’ rights, and solar farms being a low impact, non-disruptive use. Those opposed to solar farms talked about the character of the areas, disruption of sightlines and operators being from outside of the community. The Commission agreed that they should not be banned, and there should be a place for them in the community that people would be comfortable with. The Commission recommended denial of the proposed text amendment prohibiting solar farms and recommended holding another joint workshop with the City Council and Planning Commission to determine the future of the ordinance. Council generally agreed there was not enough feedback now to prohibit solar farms and agreed there were details worth going over again. If other amendments were proposed, another public hearing would be required. Weidt made motion, Klein seconded, to request staff propose a date on which to hold a joint workshop. All Ayes. Motion carried. Miron made motion, Klein seconded, to table the Solar Ordinance Text Amendment. All Ayes. Motin carried. Resolution Authorizing an Application for the Livable Communities Grant Funds Staff added this item to the agenda to approve a resolution approving applying for grant funds. City Administrator Bryan Bear reminded Council that at the July 1, 2024, meeting, they authorized preparation for work on the Residential Zoning District ordinance. The opening of the grant program had just occurred, and it may fund this effort. Miron made motion, Strub seconded, to approve RESOLUTION 2024-27 IDENTIFYING THE NEED FOR LIVABLE COMMUNITIES DEMONSTRATION ACCOUNT FUNDING AND AUTHORIZING AN APPLICATION FOR GRANT FUNDS. All Ayes. Motion carried.