Agenda - Planning Commission - 10/12/2017

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• Submittal of a Decommissioning Plan (how the site will be deconstructed and restored upon the abandonment of the operation). • Installation of native, sustainable landscape underneath the ground mounted equipment. The City's Comprehensive Plan does address solar access protection within the Land Use Chapter. One of the identified policies for solar access protection is to work with the League of Minnesota Cities, University of Minnesota Extension Services, Minnesota Office of Environmental Assistance, Anoka County, and other agencies to develop programs that increase the use of solar energy systems. It appears that the proposed project would further this policy. Note that the attached, draft Conditional Use Permit was prepared as if the Zoning Amendments, both the text and map amendments, were in effect already. Alternatives Alternative 1: Approve the Appeal for the issuance of a development permit in the Official Map area and recommend adoption of both Ordinance Amendments and the request for a Conditional Use Permit. Based on the alignment of the Armstrong Blvd overpass, the Subject Property is no longer needed for a future bridge crossing, and therefore, the issuance of a development permit would not have an impact to future transportation needs. Solar energy systems as a principal use of property in the Public/Quasi-Public District would encourage development of this renewable energy source while allowing the City to address requests on a case by case basis and apply reasonable conditions to an approval. Staff supports this alternative. Alternative 2: Do not approve the appeal for the issuance of a development permit in the Official Map and therefore, do not recommend approval of either Ordinance Amendment or the Conditional Use Permit. The City is working toward amending the overall Official Map to eliminate those parcels no longer needed for future transportation corridors, which includes the Subject Property. Thus, Staff would not support Alternative 2. Funding Source: All costs associated with this request are the responsibility of the Applicant. Recommendation: The Environmental Policy Board recommended approval of the Zoning Amendments and Conditional Use Permit. City Staff also supports the recommended approvals as well as the appeal for the issuance of a development permit within an officially mapped area. Action: Motion to adopt Resolution #17-09-211 approving an appeal for issuance of a development permit for the Subject Property for the installation of a solar energy system; - and- Motion to recommend adoption of Ordinances #17-13 and #17-14 to rezone the Subject Property to Public/Quasi-Public and to amend Section 177-122 (Public/Quasi-Public) to identify solar energy systems as a principal use with the issuance of a Conditional Use Permit; - and- Motion to recommend approval of Resolution #17-09-212 granting a Conditional Use Permit for the installation and maintenance of solar energy system on the Subject Property contingent to review and approval as to legal form by the City Attorney.