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4.c Memo re Accessory Solar OrdinanceMemorandum To: Scandia Planning Reference: Accessory Solar Ordinance Commission Amendment Copies To: Neil Soltis, City Administrator Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Project No.: 16323.000 From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP, Routing: Planner Date: November 28, 2017 Background The City recently repealed the section of the Development Code that permitted Community Solar Gardens and Farms. During the discussion of the repeal, the Planning Commission and Council identified a need to update the section of the Code that permits Accessory Solar Systems, which currently addresses only Passive Solar Energy Systems. The Planning Commission discussed the Accessory Solar section of the Code at its meeting on September 5. Staff summarized the Commission's comments for the City Council at their meeting on September 19, including the Planning Commission's comments that the City should permit Community Solar Gardens as an Accessory Use. The Council discussed this option, and recommended that Community Solar Gardens not be included in the ordinance amendment. The Council members believe that the City needs time to review the impacts of Community Solar Gardens and Solar Farms on the City, and that the Accessory Solar section of the ordinance should be limited to systems that primarily generate solar energy for the primary use on the property at this time. Proposed Ordinance Amendment A draft Ordinance Amendment is attached that permits Accessory Solar Energy Systems (SES), and includes proposed performance standards. The Planning Commission should review the draft for discussion on October 3. Some key issues for the discussion include: • Item 3a: Should the size of ground -mounted SES be limited? For reference, the size of the system recently permitted on Pilar was 14 kilowatts (kw). • Item 3b.: Should ground -mounted SES m included in the size and number limits for accessory structures, or not? • Item 3c: Should ground mounted SES be permitted in Shoreland Areas? The Minnesota DNR has recommended that local governments may permit solar uses in the Shoreland areas of Recreational Development lakes, but not Natural Environment lakes, with conditions on locations where they are permitted. Given the large Shoreland areas within Scandia, if accessory solar uses are prohibited in all shoreland areas, the potential locations for this use would be limited in Scandia. An employee owned company promoting affirmative action and equal opportunity 444 Cedar Street, Suite 1500 Saint Paul, MN 55101 651.292.4400 tkda.com TKDA Memorandum To: Scandia Planning Reference: Accessory Solar Ordinance Commission Amendment Copies To: Neil Soltis, City Administrator Brenda Eklund, City Clerk Project No.: 16323.000 From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP, Routing: Planner Date: November 28, 2017 Background The City recently repealed the section of the Development Code that permitted Community Solar Gardens and Farms. During the discussion of the repeal, the Planning Commission and Council identified a need to update the section of the Code that permits Accessory Solar Systems, which currently addresses only Passive Solar Energy Systems. The Planning Commission discussed the Accessory Solar section of the Code at its meeting on September 5. Staff summarized the Commission's comments for the City Council at their meeting on September 19, including the Planning Commission's comments that the City should permit Community Solar Gardens as an Accessory Use. The Council discussed this option, and recommended that Community Solar Gardens not be included in the ordinance amendment. The Council members believe that the City needs time to review the impacts of Community Solar Gardens and Solar Farms on the City, and that the Accessory Solar section of the ordinance should be limited to systems that primarily generate solar energy for the primary use on the property at this time. Proposed Ordinance Amendment A draft Ordinance Amendment is attached that permits Accessory Solar Energy Systems (SES), and includes proposed performance standards. The Planning Commission should review the draft for discussion on October 3. Some key issues for the discussion include: • Item 3a: Should the size of ground -mounted SES be limited? For reference, the size of the system recently permitted on Pilar was 14 kilowatts (kw). • Item 3b.: Should ground -mounted SES m included in the size and number limits for accessory structures, or not? • Item 3c: Should ground mounted SES be permitted in Shoreland Areas? The Minnesota DNR has recommended that local governments may permit solar uses in the Shoreland areas of Recreational Development lakes, but not Natural Environment lakes, with conditions on locations where they are permitted. Given the large Shoreland areas within Scandia, if accessory solar uses are prohibited in all shoreland areas, the potential locations for this use would be limited in Scandia. An employee owned company promoting affirmative action and equal opportunity