PC PACKET 07.11.2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Memorandum To: Hugo Planning Commission From: Max Gort, Associate Planner Date: July 3, 2024, for the Planning Commission Meeting of July 11, 2024 Re: Public Hearing – Solar Farms – Prohibited Ordinance 1. BACKGROUND: In 2016, the City Council adopted an ordinance regulating the use of solar energy systems. The ordinance includes rules for accessory solar energy systems, which provide solar energy for on - site use and are accessory to the primary use of the property, and solar farms, which distribute solar energy to off-site consumers and are the primary use of the property. Solar farms are currently permitted in the AG, LA, RR, and FUS zoning districts, all other zoning districts only in the floodplain, and on parcels greater than 10 acres in size. Additionally, solar farms require an Interim Use Permit (IUP), and have specific performance standards and criteria of approval. The first solar farm project was approved in 2018, which drew negative feedback from the community related to aesthetic characteristics and setbacks from property lines. In 2023, the Planning Commission and City Council identified reviewing the ordinance as it relates to solar farms as a goal for the year, due to an increased interest in solar farm development and related feedback from the community. At its February 6, 2023 meeting the City Council enacted a moratorium on applications for solar farms and directed that a study of the ordinance be conducted. The C ity Council and Planning Commission held a joint workshop on March 23, 2023, and discussed directions for reviewing the solar farm ordinance, including leaving it as-is, prohibiting solar farms, or drafting revisions to address some of the aesthetic concerns that have come up during public comment. The workshop resulted in the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) convening to draft revisions to the ordinance, which included: • An increase in minimum setbacks from property lines from 50 feet to 100 feet • A minimum setback from public rights-of-way and dwellings on adjacent property to 200 feet • A limit of the size of the solar array to five acres • A requirement that trees at least 6 feet tall at the time of planting be provided for screening • A requirement that solar farm applications include a vegetation establishment and management plan • A requirement that ground areas within the solar array not occupied by equipment be planted with deep-rooted, native, pollinator-friendly plantings D.1