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Enterprise Energy, LLC. Solar Farm Site Plan and IUP <br /> Page 4 <br /> majority of the vegetative buffer on the east and west sides of the property. In areas where <br /> vegetation is to be cleared for construction purposes, the applicant will be planting replacement <br /> vegetation to make up for gap in screening. <br /> All landscaping will be required to meet the ordinance standards in regards to sizes of plantings <br /> and minimum installation requirements. <br /> 0 All ground areas within the perimeter fencing of a solar farm that are not occupied by <br /> equipment or access paths shall be planted with deep rooted, native pollinator plantings. <br /> The applicant submitted a vegetative establishment and management plan which includes a <br /> seeding schedule for the site. All of the seeds described are native to Minnesota according to the <br /> MnDNR's native species list, except for one. Staff will continue to work with the applicant on the <br /> mixture of seeds to meet the ordinance requirement or develop a suitable alternative. <br /> (g) Solar farm applications shall include a vegetation establishment and management plan which <br /> shall be reviewed and approved by staff. <br /> The applicant submitted a vegetation establishment and management plan (VMP) which was <br /> prepared by Natural Resources Services, Inc. The plan includes an overview of site conditions, <br /> plans for removals and restoration of landscapes, timelines for establishment, monitoring, and <br /> maintenance of vegetation, and descriptions of the seed mixtures to be planted on site. The site is <br /> to be watered via a water truck once weekly during the establishment phase. <br /> (h) The owner/operator of the solar farm shall provide the city with evidence that the solar energy <br /> system is functioning properly. This shall be provided at any time deemed necessary by the City. <br /> The applicant described the day-to-day operations and management of the solar farm in the <br /> narrative. The solar farm is to have a concrete equipment pad where metering equipment would <br /> be mounted,with the power production and equipment to be continuously monitored by a satellite <br /> system. Staff will work with the applicant to determine a plan for demonstrating that the system is <br /> functioning properly, including routine checks at a time deemed necessary by staff. A plan to <br /> provide a system for ensuring that the system is functioning properly will be a condition of <br /> approval in the IUP. <br /> (i) The owner/operator shall submit a decommissioning plan for the solar farm to ensure that the <br /> owner/operator properly removes the equipment and facilities upon the end of the project life, <br /> abandonment, expiration, or termination of the interim use permit. This decommissioning plan <br /> must meet requirements outlined in the City code. <br /> The applicant has provided the City with a decommissioning plan for the solar farm. The City's <br /> ordinance states that the owner/operator of the solar farm shall provide a current-day <br /> decommissioning cost estimate and shall post financial security in a form acceptable by the city. <br /> The City is requiring the owner operator to submit this required information as well as a cash <br /> escrow prior to the issuance of a building permit. The applicant's decommissioning plan meets <br /> City requirements outlined in the code, including the removal of all equipment and structures <br /> 4 <br />