Chapter 04. ResilienceIV. RESILIENCE
Resiliency in planning and development helps to ensure the prosperity, livability, equity, and
sustainability of a community for future generations. Resilience planning focuses on all aspects of
community, ensuring the economy, the environment, and social/living conditions are vibrant and
upheld through adversity.
A. Resilience Goals and Policies
Goal: Encourage the use of renewable, local and diverse forms of energy in order to increase use of
local resources, mitigate the local risk from fossil fuel scarcity and price increases, and help meet
Minnesota's climate protection goals.
Obiectives•
• Encourage the use of alternative renewable heating fuels as biomass while
establishing standards to limit nuisances associated with such systems.
• Encourage the use of alternative fuels and alternative means of transportation for City
residents and businesses.
Goal: Encourage energy efficient housing that exceeds the minimum efficiency levels required in
the State building codes.
Obiectives•
• Protect solar access for homes and businesses.
• Promote the use of renewable energy systems on housing and in areas where such
systems can be safely operated and produce a minimum level of visual impact.
Goal: Review the goals of the Minnesota GreenStep Cities Program. Implement GreenStep Cities
Best Practices as appropriate.
B. Solar
The Metropolitan Land Planning Act (Minnesota Statues 473.859, Subd. 2) requires local
comprehensive plans to include for the protection and development of access to direct sunlight
for solar energy systems.
Within Scandia's development code, the administration chapter details the allowance of
variances in regard to solar access. § 6.4.7 reads, "Practical difficulties include, but are not
limited to, inadequate access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems."
Also, the subdivision regulations, in § 13.2.7, states "All new subdivisions, where appropriate,
should be designed to accommodate use of passive and active solar energy systems with special
attention given to street, lot and building orientation."
According to the Metropolitan Council, Scandia has the following solar potential, detailed in
Table 17. These calculations assume a 10% conversion efficiency and current (2016/17) solar
technologies. The average home in Minnesota consumes between 9 and 10 Mwh/year (Solar
Energy Industries Association; US Energy Information Administration). Using only Scandia's
rooftop generation potential, between 2,778 and 3,086 homes could be powered by solar energy
annually.
Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Resilience
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Solar
Gross Potential Rooftop Potential
(Mwh/yr) (Mwh/yr)
Gross Generation Rooftop Generation
Potential (Mwh/yrZ) Potential (Mwh/yrZ)
51,157,938 277,765
5,115,793 27,776
Source: Metropolitan Council
These calculations done by the Metropolitan Council are not necessarily an absolute number.
Due to limitations in data and maps, some areas may be left out from gross and rooftop
potential.
These numbers should be interpreted as a baseline; if more accurate numbers are desired, the
Metropolitan Council advice a more extensive, community -specific analysis of solar
development potential for both solar gardens and rooftop or accessory use installations. On
average, communities would be able to expect between 30% and 60% of total energy used to be
able to be generated by solar rooftops. The rooftop potential estimated here does not consider
ownership, financial barriers, or building -specific structural limitations. Solar potential in the
City of Scandia is displayed in Figure IV -A.
Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Resilience
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Figure IV -A - Solar Potential Map
Gross Solar Potential
City of Scandia, Washington County
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Source. University of Minnesota U -Spatial Statewide Solar Raster.
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Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Page 38
C. Minnesota GreenStep Cities
In May 2014, the City Council approved a resolution to make Scandia a GreenStep City
through the MPCA and League of Minnesota Cities' program. As of 2017, the city has
implemented 11 actions for four best management practices: buildings and lighting, land
use, environmental management, and economic and community development. Scandia is
currently a Step 1 City but is anticipated to achieve Step 2 in June 2018.
Buildings and Lighting — Scandia has implemented two actions in efficiency in
building operations and lighting. The city has earned two stars for entering building
information in the Minnesota B3 Benchmarking database, allowing the city to track
their monthly energy and water use in all city -owned buildings. Scandia has also
earned one star for the use of a solar -powered light on the flagpole of the Veterans
Memorial in Lilleskogen Park.
• Land Use — The city has implemented three actions regarding comprehensive plans
and two practices for natural resource conservation design.
In comprehensive planning, Scandia has earned one star for adopting a
comprehensive, long-range land use plan and another star for updating its zoning
code and ordinances with the comprehensive plan. The city has also earned two
stars for adopting the Carnelian -Marine St. Croix's watershed plan and for entering
agreements with May Township and Osceola, WI. Scandia provides fire services to
a portion of May Township, and Scandia entered a mutual aid agreement with
Osceola in 2009.
In natural resource conservation design, the city has earned two stars for
implementing and Open Space Subdivision process that allows development to
occur while preserving woodlands, natural corridors, agricultural land, open space,
and significant natural resources. Scandia has also earned two stars for adopting a
Woodland and Tree Preservation Plan requirement in the City Code. A Woodland
Preservation Plan is required whenever significant trees or woodlands exist in a
proposed construction zone.
• Environmental Management — Scandia has implemented two actions for this best
management practice. The city earned two stars for adopting a shoreland overlay
district with shoreland management regulations. Scandia also earned one star for
contracting with a service provider to provide single -sort curbside recycling for all
Scandia households.
Economic and Community Development — The city has implemented two actions
for this best management practice area. Scandia has earned two stars for adopting a
solar farm and community solar garden ordinance, which has resulted in four solar
farms being approved for construction. The city has also earned two stars for
partnering with the Gammelgarden to bring a Farmer's Market to Scandia. This
effort helped bring fresh, locally grown produce to residents while creating an
enjoyable, safe community event in the cultural/social heart of Scandia.
As Scandia plans for the future, it will continue to consider GreenStep City Best
Management Practices as they relate to the goals and objectives of this comprehensive plan.
Scandia 2040 Comprehensive Plan Resilience
Prepared by: Bolton & Menk, Inc. Page 39