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Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of December 17, 2015 Chair, Kleissler called the meeting to order at 6:58 p.m. PRESENT: Arcand, Kleissler, Knauss, Lessard, Patzner, Rosenquist ABSENT: McRoberts. STAFF: Rachel Juba, Planner Rachel Leitz, Community Development Assistant Oath of Office Juba introduced the newly elected Planning Commission member, Lynn Patzner. Commissioner Patzner stated that she has lived in the City of Hugo for a couple of years and had worked with the Planning Commission and City Council for a project she was part of with Xcel. Commissioner Patzner said in her free time she serves on a couple of other groups including the MN Construction Association, the local HOA for her neighborhood, and volunteer coaches at the YMCA. Juba had Commissioner Patzner read the oath of office and sign. Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of October 8, 2015 Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Rosenquist, to approve minutes for the meeting of October 8, 2015. All Ayes. Motion carried. Solar Energy Systems Ordinance Leitz began describing the newly created solar energy systems ordinance. She stated that after many requests for information from residents and solar companies, the City Council approved the Ordinance Review Committee (ORC) to begin creating a solar energy ordinance to regulate future solar projects within the City. Leitz went through the solar energy system ordinance and concluded that the ORC agreed that a solar ordinance was necessary within the City of Hugo and recommended approval to the Planning Commission. She also stated that staff recommends opening of the public hearing for public comments and recommends approval of the solar energy system ordinance. Commissioner Arcand stated that the ordinance refers to "the owner" when talking about removing an abandoned project and wondered if that meant the owner of the system or owner of the property. Lcitz stated that it depends. She stated that if the owner of the property is also the one who holds the interim use permit for a solar farm, then they would be required to remove the system. If the property owner has a lease agreement with a company to operate the solar farm, then there would be some sort of stipulation within that agreement that they would be required to remove the system. Commissioner Arcand stated that the section regarding removing the system mentions something about the City holding some sort of deposit for the removal of the system.. He asked if the owner had access to that money to remove the system.