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April 11, 2024 PC Minutes <br />Page 2 <br /> <br />The request is to construct a 5-acre, 1 megawatt solar farm in the center of the property. Staff <br />reviewed the proposal and found that it met the performance standards in the ordinance, including <br />requirements for zoning, setbacks, building height, vegetative screening, a vegetation establishment <br />and management plan (VMP), and decommissioning plan. The landscape plan includes a row of six-foot <br />tall Balsam Firs closer to the array, with four-foot tall Dogwood shrubs in front of the trees. The <br />ordinance requires that areas within the solar array that are not occupied by equipment be planted <br />with native, deep-rooted, pollinator-friendly plantings. Staff also found that the proposal met the <br />criteria of approval for a solar farm, including criteria for the spirit and intent of the ordinance, not <br />impeding the city’s ability to implement its comprehensive plan, and not disrupting the essential <br />character of the surrounding area. The proposal uses a small pond in the northwest corner of the <br />property to manage stormwater runoff from the proposed driveway and mechanical pad, but the <br />property will continue to drain as it currently drains. There are approximately 3 .6 acres of wetlands on <br />site, and a portion of the solar farm is proposed to be constructed within the wetland boundary as <br />permitted by ordinance. The Technical Evaluation Panel (TEP) has reviewed and approved the solar <br />panel locations within the wetlands. <br /> <br />It is in staff’s opinion that the requests meet the City Code requirements and criteria of approval. Staff <br />recommended approval of the solar farm site plan and IUP subject to conditions in the draft resolution. <br /> <br />Evan Carlson, president of Enterprise Energy, LLC, addressed the Planning Commission. Carlson stated <br />that he started the company about two years ago, and that he had been working on this specific <br />project since before the moratorium had been enacted. Carlson stated that he had been very careful <br />designing the project and stated that the ordinance revisions added additional constraints that made <br />the design more challenging. Carlson described the concept of community solar gardens at the 1 <br />megawatt, 5-acre scale as being a way to provide solar energy to users who don’t have the ability to <br />construct an accessory solar energy system on their property. Carlson stated that he invited neighbors <br />to an open house, but nobody attended. Carlson stated that he believes that the proposed setbacks <br />are very significant and that the existing vegetation will provide a robust screen from view. Carlson <br />stated that the stormwater plan has been intensely scrutinized by engineers on his team and from the <br />City. <br /> <br />Commissioner Andress asked how the interconnection to Xcel Energy’s grid will look. Carlson stated <br />that there will be a total of three utility poles near the street, two of which will belong to Enterprise <br />and one will belong to Xcel. Acting Chair Derr asks how high the poles will be, Carlson says they will be <br />comparable to existing utility poles in the neighborhood. <br /> <br />Acting Chair Derr opened the Public Hearing at 7:29 PM <br /> <br />John Udstuen, 15190 Everton Ave N, stated that he’s been involved with the City for 32 years, likes <br />giving speeches, and enjoys public involvement. Udsteun asked that the Planning Commission table the <br />application in order to allow him and his neighbors to form legal representation. Udstuen stated that <br />the neighbors did not receive adequate notice of the proposal and that they should have been more <br />involved in the project planning process. <br />