7. PC Staff Report Solar Ordinance Amendment 11.02.2021
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Memorandum
To: Scandia Planning Commission Reference: Lubke Ordinance Amendment - Solar
Variance Application
Copies To: Brenda Eklund, Clerk
Ken Cammilleri, City
Administrator
Michael Lubke, Applicant Project No.: 18108.000 Lubke Ordinance
Amendment - Solar
From: Evan Monson, Planner Routing:
Date: October 28, 2021
SUBJECT: Request to amend Ordinance #210 (Requirements of solar energy systems)
and to allow distribution solar energy systems within the Shoreland Overlay
district
MEETING DATE: November 2, 2021
APPLICANT: Michael Lubke
ITEMS REVIEWED: Draft redline of Ordinance #210 with proposed changes from Applicant
DESCRIPTION OF THE REQUEST
The applicant is requesting to make some changes to the current requirements for solar energy systems.
Such systems, referred to as SES in the Development Code, were last updated in Ordinance #210 in
2019. The requirements for a SES are located within Chapter Two of the Development Code. The latest
change defined two different types of solar energy systems: a local SES and a distribution SES. A local
SES would serve a customer on-site, such as a homeowner having a solar panel on their roof power their
house. A distribution SES would be a larger, commercial sized project that would serve power to
customers off-site. Solar Farms or solar gardens are usually the term used to describe these larger
developments.
The applicant is proposing multiple changes to the requirements. The first change would be to permit
distribution SES in areas within the Shoreland Management Overlay District, if the site is able to meet
certain criteria. Currently, no distribution SES are permitted within the Shoreland Overlay. The second
change would be to revise the screening requirements for distribution SES to include a ‘scenic canvas’
and other options that may help alleviate issues with screening and visibility. Other changes would
include allowing the growing of crops underneath solar panels, which could require allowing the panels to
have a greater maximum height depending on the crop and equipment being used to plant and harvest
the crop.
Included for initial review is the redlined draft of Ordinance #210, as well as a copy of the applicant’s
presentation made to the City Council on the subject at a recent Council meeting.
Lubke Ordinance Amendment Staff Report November 2, 2021
Scandia Planning Commission Page 2
EVALUATION OF ORDINANCE AMENDMENTS
Chapter One, Section 5.0 of the Development Code includes the criteria and required process for
considering amendments to the Development Code, as well as amendments to the Comprehensive Plan
(text or map amendments) and the Zoning Map.
When reviewing an amendment to the Development Code, the Planning Commission shall consider
possible effects of the proposed amendment(s). Judgment shall be based upon (but is not limited to) the
following factors listed in Chapter One, Section 5.1:
5.1(5)(A): The proposed action shall be considered in relation to the specific policies and provisions of
and shall be consistent with the City Comprehensive Plan, including public facilities and capital
improvement plans.
5.1(5)(B): Whether the proposed action meets the purpose and intent of this Chapter or in the case of a
map amendment, it meets the purpose and intent of the individual district.
ACTION REQUESTED
There is no formal recommendation being made tonight to the Council. The Planning Commission can
call for a public hearing on this request. Said public hearing would take place at a future Planning
Commission meeting, where the Commission would make a recommendation on the requested
amendment to the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
The Planner recommends that the Planning Commission call for a public hearing regarding the proposed
amendments at a future Planning Commission meeting.