2025.04.07 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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2 The Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) convened 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 The ORC’s revisions were adopted by the City Council on July 24, 2023. With the new ordinance in effect, the City received an application for a solar farm on a vacant 12-acre property on Everton Avenue. During the public hearing at the April 11, 2024 Planning Commission meeting, several neighbors spoke in opposition to the project, primarily with concerns that the proposed solar farm would not be compatible with the present character of the surrounding area. The Planning Commission recommended approval of the solar farm IUP, but the City Council denied it, due to the character of the area case made by the neighbors. Following the denial of the Everton Avenue solar farm project, the City Council directed staff to draft a text amendment that would prohibit solar farms. At its July 11, 2024 meeting the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the text amendment. There were 4 people who spoke in favor of prohibiting solar farms, 4 people who spoke against prohibiting solar farms, and 4 letters received by the City that were all against prohibiting solar farms. The Planning Commission and City Council decided not to prohibit solar farms at that time, and instead held another workshop to discuss the ordinance. The workshop held on September 19 , 2024 resulted in direction to reconvene the ORC to consider revising the ordinance. 3. ORDINANCE REVIEW COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Over the course of several meetings, the ORC discussed potential revisions to address community concerns. Solar farm proposals often have the location of a solar array near the edge of a large property and closer to adjacent dwellings, rather than being located centrally. The ORC determined that community feedback may be better addressed with revisions that guide the placement of the solar array towards the center of the property, no matter how large the property is. Additionally, the ORC discussed the zoning districts where solar farms are allowed, and determined that the permission of solar farms within urban zon ing district exclusively in the floodplain was no longer needed.