5.a Memo Accessory Solar Ordinance Hearing1.2.18444 Cedw Street, 5vte 1500
Saint Paul, MN 55101
651 292,4400
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Memorandum
To: Scandia Planning
Commission
Copies To: Neil Soltis, City
Administrator
Brenda Eklund, City Clerk
From: Sherri Buss, RLA AICP,
Planner
Date: December 21. 2017
Background
Reference: Accessory Solar Ordinance
Amendment—Public Hearing
Project No
Routing:
16323.000
The City recently repealed the section of the Development Code that permitted Community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 several
meetings in 2017. 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 smaller 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.
The Commission completed a final review of the ordinance at its December meeting and
addressed several issues, including the size of Accessory Solar structures that would be
permitted, where the use would be permitted, the structures' relationship to other accessory
structure requirements in the Development Code, and requirements for Accessory Solar
structures in Shoreland areas. The Commission recommended that a public hearing be
scheduled for the ordinance amendment at its January meeting.
Proposed Ordinance Amendment
The proposed Ordinance Amendment is attached that permits Accessory Solar Energy Systems
(SES), and includes proposed performance standards. Key elements of the ordinance include
the following:
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Code Amendment - Lighting Page 2
Scandia Planning Commission
August 1, 2017
• Accessory Solar Energy Systems (SES) are permitted in all zoning districts as accessory
uses to the primary use on the property. "Accessory use" for SES means that As an
accessory use, an SES is permitted to the extent that it operates primarily to
provide solar energy for the primary use and the permitted accessory uses on the
property on which it is located. "
• The ordinance permits passive Solar Energy Systems, roof- and building -
mounted systems, and ground -mounted systems. The performance standards
differ for each type of system.
• The ordinance allows one ground -mounted SES up to 800 square feet in size
(footprint of the system) with approval of a building permit for residential and
commercial uses. SES that are larger than 800 square feet require approval of a
Conditional Use Permit. The Commission's discussion noted research by other
local governments found that a 10kw SES is adequate to serve most single-
family residential needs, and that the panels for 10kw systems currently have a
footprint of about 700 square feet. Therefore, most residents could install a
system that would meet their needs with approval of a building permit.
• The maximum permitted height of ground -mounted SES is 15 feet when oriented
at maximum tilt.
• Accessory SES do not count toward the maximum amount of lot coverage
permitted on a parcel if the ground area under the system is vegetated.
• Accessory SES do not count toward the maximum number and area of
accessory structures that the Development Code permits on a parcel.
• Accessory SES are permitted in Shoreland areas. The Development Code does
not permit installation of accessory structures in the front yard area (the lake side
for shoreline parcels). The ordinance amendment requires screening for ground -
mounted SES when they are located within 100' of a roadway right-of-way or if a
CUP is needed for the SES.
MI