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CITY OF HUGO <br />COUNTY OF WASHINGTON <br /> <br />ORDINANCE NO. 2024-_____ <br /> <br />AN INTERIM ORDINANCE EXTENDING A TEMPORARY MORATORIUM ON <br />NEW DEVELOPMENT OF SOLAR FARM SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS AND <br />DIRECTING A STUDY TO BE CONDUCTED <br /> <br />NOW, THEREFORE, the City Council of the City of Hugo does ordain: <br />SECTION 1. <br /> <br />BACKGROUND. <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the City Council adopted an Ordinance 2016-475 SOLAR ENERGY <br />SYSTEMS on January 4, 2016; <br /> <br />WHEREAS, in view of experience following the adoption of the above-referenced <br />ordinances, including an observation that Solar Farm Solar Energy Systems may not be <br />appropriate in certain land use categories in the City because of issues relating to <br />compatibility and appearance, the City has determined that an additional study shall be <br />conducted to review the City’s zoning ordinance and official controls relating thereto to <br />ensure the zoning ordinance and official controls regarding Solar Farms adequately <br />addresses the public health, safety and general welfare of the community; <br /> <br />WHEREAS, Solar Farms are defined as a solar energy system that is composed of multiple <br />solar panels where the primary land use, whether by footprint or visual impact or both, of <br />the parcel is for a solar array. A solar farm produces energy for wholesale to subscribers. <br /> <br />WHEREAS, the City has determined that the section of the ordinance regarding Accessory <br />Solar Energy Systems adequately addresses the public health, safety, and general welfare of <br />the community, and are exempt from the moratorium. Such systems are for accessory use and <br />predominantly serve on-site users. <br /> <br />WHEREAS, to provide adequate time for study, analysis, and the finalization of City Code <br />amendments regarding Solar Farms or to preserve the status quo within the City, the City <br />desires to enact an interim ordinance on the applications for and the issuance of permits for <br />Solar Farms. <br /> <br />WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 462.355, subd. 4, the City is authorized to enact by <br />ordinance a moratorium to regulate, restrict or prohibit any use within the jurisdiction to <br />protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Specifically, the City is authorized to enact a <br />moratorium ordinance to allow it to undertake a study to determine whether to revise or add <br />any regulations or restrictions, including siting and location of use, performance standards, <br />and screening of Solar Farms. <br /> <br />WHEREAS, on May 20, 2024, the City Council adopted an interim Ordinance #2024-530 to