2025.10.06 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Cedar Creek Energy Solar Farm Site Plan and IUP Page 4 4 (d) Solar farms shall be limited to a size of five acres, measured by the exterior edges of the solar array. The applicant has indicated that the solar array will have a footprint of 4.81 acres, within a 5.6 acre fenced in area. (e) Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point when oriented at maximum tilt. The applicant has indicated that the solar panels will be on single-axis trackers, that track from east to west following the sun throughout the day. The plans show the solar panels having a height of 12 feet at maximum tilt. Staff is requiring that the solar panels all be level with each other, which may require different heights of mounting equipment. Staff will continue to work with the applicant to ensure that the solar panels are generally level across the site. This will be a condition in the IUP. (f) Solar farms shall be enclosed by approved perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative buffer for screening. Exception may be granted if the natural landscape provides screening from all public right of ways and neighboring properties. The applicant has indicated that they will be installing a 7-foot tall post and wire fence surrounding the perimeter, and is proposing vegetative screening on the west and southeast sides of the solar array. The screening is proposed to be two rows of Norway Spruce and Black Hills Spruce trees, which are shown to be four feet tall at the time of planting. There is existing vegetation in the southwest corner of the property that will provide screening from view for the adjacent residence. Vegetative screening is not proposed for the east side of the solar array, but there is a lot of property to the east owned by the same owner, and there is enough distance to a dwelling owned by a separate owner for staff to be comfortable with vegetative screening not being planted here. Staff will continue to work with the applicant on a landscape plan that meets all ordinance requirements in regards to sizes of plantings and minimum installation requirements, which will be a condition of approval in the IUP. (g) All ground areas within the perimeter fencing of a solar farm that are not occupied by equipment or access paths shall be planted with deep rooted, native pollinator plantings. The applicant submitted a vegetative establishment and management plan which includes a seeding schedule for the site. All of the seeds described are native to Minnesota according to the MnDNR’s native species list. The solar array area contains two different soil types that have different conditions, and staff is recommending that a second seed mix be used to better suit the different soil conditions. Staff will continue to work with the applicant on the mixture of seeds to meet the ordinance requirement.