6. Scandia_Solar Info Session_Public Input 013119SOLAR INFORMATION AND INPUT SESSION
CITY OF SCANDIA
JANUARY 31, 2019
The City of Scandia posted a public notice inviting the public to participate in an information
meeting regarding the future of community solar in the City. The meeting took place on
Thursday, January 31. The sections below are comments received at this meeting.
VEGETATIVE SCREENING AND FENCING
What types of screening and fencing below do you like or not like, and why?
General Comments
• Most of the solar farms have been done with taste!
• Question: who monitors and inspects that screening and pollinator plants are DONE,
and done correctly? And monitors over time, and addresses plants that died, etc. ?
• The city shouldn't require fencing around these; it should only regulate the type of
fence that's allowed to be used if the solar farm developers wants a fence.
• Large installations should be designed such that larger animals can pass through.
Think about what the 70 acre Highway 97 did to the long wildlife corridor running
from Manny to Scandia center. Really?
Nice, but not natural.
What you don't see is the view from
the west where there are few
conifers in the highest solar
visibility spot.
Love. However, species diversity
could be more sustainable.
Fencing is unattractive. to
wildlife. The landscaping isn't
connected as an integrated part of
the plan.
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1 prefer to avoid these fences. They are
not visually interesting and block wildlife.
More conifers required; will not screen in
winter as shown.
Good, but needs conifers.
Totally screened by native plants and
natural.
Valuable and sustainable and wildlife -
friendly.
Looks very natural.
Fencing is attractive and functional.
Positives: scaled well; use of timbers;
design (fence doesn't just contain a
space — it integrates with scape.
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POLES AND WIRING
What do you think of the poles or what concerns do you have?
I prefer the short building to the extensive posts.
Can we get rid of poles and wires throughout Scandia?
Telephone and power poles have been around for years! They are necessary.
Are there other design options for poles?
PROTECTION OF AGRICULTURE
Rate each picture for how it represents protection of agriculture.
How is Manning and 97? Efficiency? Meeting expectations? Sign "This is proposed."
GENERAL QUESTIONS OR INPUT
What general comments do you have about solar gardens as a land use option in
Scandia?
Since solar defined as agricultural, can City even disallow? Ask attorney. Will tech allow
greater distance from interconnection in future? Ask Brian Ross.
My concerns are that we don't allow what has happened with the appearance of the solar field
on 97 and Manny to happen again. I think buffer zones are very important. How do we value
the rural landscapes in Scandia, when will the City determine there are enough solar fields?
For Planning Commission consideration — how to maintain rural aesthetic. Can the setback
and screening accommodate Scandia's "vision?" Perhaps a county issue, but maybe
something that can be asked of the developers — possibly add a shoulder or walking path
adjacent to County Road 50 (where citizens frequently use the Berry Patch shoulder).
If I understand correctly, a residential development in Scandia over a certain density requires
a conservation easement that provides habitat and corridors for movement of wildlife. Why
would we allow a 70 acre solar facility, completely fenced around a perimeter, with no
easement for the movement of wildlife?
I'm all for it! Would love to chat about our land being leased. Kim Lappe Salmela and Alan
Salmela, 651.433.3881.
In favor of an ordinance. Reasonable screening but not necessary to make them invisible.
1 MW farms are far less objectionable.
I am in favor of retaining 50% undeveloped land (excluding ) in Scandia. This is scientist
EO Wilson's formula for retaining biodiversity on Earth necessary to sustain human life.
Scandia is in a position to be a positive contributor to long term if not perpetual Earth.
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