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July 11, 2024 PC Minutes Page 4 Commissioner Arcand said that the current ordinance and its revisions went through a long and intensive process and weren't rushed, and that he would prefer to live next to a solar farm compared to a more disruptive use. Commissioners Lessard, Petty, and Arcand all stated that they would prefer to revisit the ordinance before prohibiting solar farms. Commissioner Kelly stated that there could be places within the city that the community is more comfortable with solar farms. Commissioner Granger stated that the review process with the Everton Avenue solar farm proposal did its job since there were multiple bodies reviewing it, and the proposal was ultimately denied. Commissioner Derr stated that the last time the Planning Commission considered prohibiting a use was with short-term rentals, which was due to extensive community complaints without any feedback in the other direction. Derr stated that solar farms are much less disruptive than short-term rentals and other allowed agricultural uses. Chair Kleissler said that the Planning Commission was able to hear several different perspectives including some that they hadn't heard before. Kleissler stated that she personally would not want to live next to a solar farm, but recognizes that property owners don't own their view. Commissioner Granger stated that of the comments they've heard there has been a balance of those in favor of the prohibition and those against it, but points to the small sample compared to the community as a whole. Commissioner Petty stated that while the representative sample size is small, that the viewpoints expressed were different enough from each other that she felt the Planning Commission could make a sufficiently informed decision. Chair Kleissler asked about viewpoints from Xcel Energy or the city's planning consultants at Landform. Juba stated that Landform hasn't been involved with this discussion topic, but that Xcel's representative, Mike Wilhelmi, spoke at the 2023 workshop. Wilhelmi stated at the workshop that while they're required to accept solar energy systems to interconnect into their distribution system, that they prefer larger utility-scale systems over the small-scale systems that third-party developers propose. Commissioner Lessard asked if the smaller systems make a sizable difference for renewable energy generation, Juba said that Xcel Energy would be better suited to answer that question. Commissioner Derr stated that he thinks there's some room for more restrictions that could effectively address community concerns. No further discussion. Commissioner Petty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Granger, to recommend denial of the text amendments as presented, and to recommend a joint workshop with the Planning Commission and City Council.