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Enterprise Energy, LLC. Solar Farm Site Plan and IUP <br />Page 4 <br /> <br /> <br /> 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 /> <br />All landscaping will be required to meet the ordinance standards in regards to sizes of plantings <br />and minimum installation requirements. <br /> <br />(f) 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 /> <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 /> <br />(g) Solar farm applications shall include a vegetation establishment and management plan which <br />shall be reviewed and approved by staff. <br /> <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 /> <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 /> <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 necess ary 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 /> <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 /> <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