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Enterprise Energy, LLC. Solar Farm Site Plan and IUP Page 6 6 The intent of the Agricultural (AG) zoning district is to provide an area for uses dependent on the inherent productivity of the land. Many of the surrounding properties are used for single-family homes or agricultural activity, which generally translate into having a low impact on adjacent properties with limited noise, traffic, etc. The applicant has indicated that there will be routine maintenance on the property, which will generally consist of a truck using the access drive at various times and will not be intrusive. The applicant has taken measures to ensure that the solar farm will be adequately screened from the view of surrounding properties. It’s in staff’s opinion that the request for an IUP for a solar farm will not adversely affect the surrounding area and is compatible with the character of the surrounding area. (f) The proposed solar farm shall have a set date in which the permit shall be reviewed or terminated. The applicant has requested the permit to be approved for a period of 25 years, which is the life of the applicant’s agreement with Xcel Energy in purchasing the power generated by the solar farm. City staff is comfortable with approving the IUP for a 25 year period from the date of the issuance of the final building permit inspection with the allowance, required by City code, that the owner/operator of the solar farm provide the City with evidence that the solar energy system is functioning properly at any time deemed necessary by the City. The solar farm shall be reviewed every five (5) years. (g) The proposed solar farm shall be subject to any conditions that the city council deems appropriate for the permission of the use. City staff have reviewed the application for a solar farm interim use permit and have outlined conditions of the permit within the IUP document. City staff can update the permit with any conditions deemed necessary for this use prior to final approval. 7. SITE PLAN APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS Building Setbacks Sec. 90-278(d)(2)(b) requires minimum setbacks for solar farms that exceed the minimum required setbacks for the AG zoning district. The proposed solar farm meets these requirements. Building Height Sec. 90-278(d)(2)(d) requires a maximum height of 15 feet for ground mounted solar energy systems that is less than the maximum height allowed in the AG zoning district. The applicant has indicated that the solar farm will have a panel height of approximately 10 feet. The proposed solar farm meets this requirement.