PC PACKET 07.25.2024 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

July 11, 2024 PC Minutes Page 2 future development of solar farms, primarily asking community members whether they would want to live next to one. The City Council directed staff to draft text amendments to the ordinance that would prohibit the development of solar farms, and hold a public hearing with the Planning Commission. Gort presented two draft text amendments, the first of which amends the definition for solar farms with clarifying language, and the second of which prohibits their development in any zoning district within the city. Staff recommended that the Planning Commission hold a public hearing and take all comments, and to discuss the solar farm ordinance based on the comments received, before making a recommendation to the City Council. Commissioner Granger asked if staff was intending for the Planning Commission’s recommendation to be the text amendments as presented. Gort responded that staff does not have a specific recommendation for the text amendments, but that the Planning Commission can make any recommendation based on their discussion. Chair Kleissler asked how the public hearing was noticed. Gort responded that the notice was published in the Citizen newspaper and on the City website, but that residents did not receive a notice in the mail since the city’s application was not tied to a specific property. Chair Kleissler opened the Public Hearing at 7:12 PM. John Udstuen, 15190 Everton Ave N, stated that he is opposed to allowing solar farms within the city, comparing solar farms to a factory being placed next to houses. Udstuen stated that he wants to continue to allow accessory solar, and protect future development potential on large parcels. Arnie Triemert, 15220 Everton Ave N, stated that he wouldn’t want to live next to a solar farm. Mark Lutz, 8112 157th St N, stated that he wants to allow property owners, such as himself, the opportunity to construct a solar farm to earn supplemental income, and thinks they are a good fit in the agricultural areas of the city. Jimmie Gregoire, 16720 Henna Ave N, stated that he lives next to the existing solar farm on 165 th Street and had been vocal in his opposition to it. Gregoire stated that he wants to continue to allow property owners the opportunity to develop solar farms, but feels that much larger buffers from view on adjacent property should be put in place, suggesting a minimum lot size of over 40 acres. John Lutz, 8050 157th St N, stated that he and his brother who spoke previously are working with a developer to construct a solar farm as a way to supplement the income from their farm, and see it as a way to keep their acreage intact without needing to subdivide and sell smaller parcels or construct more disruptive uses such as a feedlot. Lutz said that he thinks the Planning Commission should evaluate solar farm proposals on a case-by-case basis, reviewing how many people are impacted, rather that prohibit them completely. Commissioner Andress asked what he meant by impact, Lutz said that he meant the number of people who had a visible sightline.