2018.08.23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of Thursdav, August 23, 2018 Chair Kleissler called the meeting to order at 7:04 p.m. PRESENT: Arcand, Derr, Kleissler, Luchsinger, Tjernlund ABSENT: Fry, Lessard STAFF: Rachel Juba, Community Development Director Pierre Giguere, Community Development Intern Approval of Minutes for the Planning Commission Meeting of August 9, 2018 Commissioner Arcand made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Derr, to approve minutes for the meeting of August 9, 2018. All Ayes. Motion carried. FastSun 4, LLC. — Interim Use Permit (IUP) Application for a Solar Farm Juba reviewed the tabling of the FastSun 4 LLC Solar Farm IUP application. Juba states that the application was tabled by the Planning Commission at their July, 26, 2018 meeting. The applicant did not provide the information requested by the Planning Commission in time for staff to review the application. Staff recommended that the application be tabled again until the Planning Commission meeting of Thursday, August 23, 2018. Juba reintroduced the FastSun 4 IUP for the proposed solar farm. The 30 acre parcel being used for the solar farm is zoned Future Urban Service and is guided for Low Density Residential within Hugo's 2030 Comprehensive Plan. The solar farm complies with the uses listed under future urban service. Juba then addressed the concerns voiced at the public hearing held at the Planning Commission meeting of July 26, 2018. The listed concerns include the durability of the panels and their ability to withstand strong winds, harm to wildlife, possibly hazardous materials within the panels, loss of property value, the possibility of the property becoming a dumping ground, maintenance of the remaining section of the property and the opinion that the solar farm does not fit in well with the surrounding neighborhood. Juba went on to mention that the concerns listed at the previous meeting will be addressed by staff as well as the applicant. With that being said, Juba stated that the applicant has submitted an updated site plan for the proposed solar farm and that the newly submitted site plan is still in compliance with the standards for solar farms as well as criteria of approval. The applicant has provided staff with the information that has been requested. Juba recommended that the landscaping surrounding the solar farm shall consist of a staggered double row of coniferous trees. Juba also recommended the approval of the solar farm. Chair Kleissler invites the applicant to the podium to provide any additional information. Chuck Biesner of 601 Carlson Parkway, Minnetonka, Minnesota, approached the podium.