7.b 2 Staff Response to Supplemental RequestForestLake HoldCo444 Cedar Street, Suite 1500
Saint Paul, MN 55101
651.292.4400
TKDA tkda.com
Memorandum
To: Andi Moffatt, WSB Reference: Forest Lake Holdco CUP
Addison Lewis, WSB Supplemental Request
Copies To: Neil Soltis, City Administrator
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
Kaya Tarhan, SolarStone Project No.: 15744.014
Gordy Simanton, Solarstone
From: Sherri Buss RLA AICP Routing:
City Planner
Date: February 15, 2016
The City of Scandia staff have reviewed the items and questions submitted with your supplemental
request memo dated January 28, 2016. Our responses are the following:
Landscape Plan
The landscape plan submitted with the memo on January 28 meets the CUP and ordinance
requirements for screening between the solar garden and the public roadways. It requires one
addition—identified below under transformer/metering equipment.
Transformer/Metering Equipment
The transformer box falls under the definition of an Essential Service. The performance standards in
the ordinance require that the structure be landscaped to screen it from view from property lines and
the public road. Please revise the landscape plan to include screening for the transformer box. On
past projects, the City has recommended that screening include a mix of coniferous trees/shrubs and
deciduous shrubs for Essential Service structures.
Communications Pole
The City Administrator has discussed this equipment and permit requirements with the City Attorney.
As the discussion occurred; a current applicant for another solar garden made us aware that it is likely
that there will be an alternative satellite control option, and the pole and antenna will not be needed.
The applicant indicated that Xcel energy informed them about this, and is completing a study for the
satellite control option.
The City would prefer the satellite control option. Please contact Xcel about this option, and let the City
know if this can be utilized rather than adding the proposed pole/antenna.
Service Roads
Mike Hinz, the City's Fire and Rescue Chief, provided the following comment: "After looking at the plan,
I feel that the access road should stay at the 20 foot width. The main reason for this is that we need the
ability to have two vehicles that could both be 8.5' wide pass each other. We also need to keep the
option available for the use of an Arial fire truck—the truck requires 16-20 feet of stable ground for their
out -riggers."
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Forest Lake Holdco Supplemental Request
City of Scandia Page 2 February 15, 2016
Ryan Goodman, the City Engineer provided the following comment: "The City needs to verify the
distance/spacing between the edges of solar panels along the service roads as well and make sure
they remain at least 20' apart."
Fencing
The proposed fence will require an Administrative permit. The City Clerk can provide the permit form,
and Neil can approve the permit.