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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION March 8, 2023 9 Commissioner Bjorklund commented on the definition of solar array system. He recommended the size of an array be greater defined. He stated overall he supported solar systems on homes. He asked if other communities have allowed solar energy systems within their City Code. He believed it would be beneficial to review this language. Chair Vijums asked what the acreage was of the federal government property. Community Development Director Jagoe stated this property was 1,600 acres in size. Chair Vijums questioned if there was any purpose of this land remaining greenspace for sustainability purposes. Community Development Director Jagoe commented under the future land use designation this land was slated for parks and open space. She noted the intent of the conversation district was to hold the federal property. Commissioner Bjorklund stated he was concerned with how a large portion of property could be sold for a solar farm and this could impact the redevelopment of this property. Chair Vijums believed solar energy was a good thing, but he feared how the neighboring properties would be impacted if a large solar farm were installed. Commissioner Bjorklund stated it would benefit the Commission to have an aerial picture of the conservation district property. Community Development Director Jagoe commented the discussion before the Planning Commission was not specific to the primer tracer property. Rather, the Commission should consider the Conservation District overall. Commissioner Mitchell recalled that the conservation land (AHATS and primer tracer property) would be difficult to clean to residential standards. For this reason, she was not concerned that an apartment building would be placed directly next to a solar array. Community Development Director Jagoe discussed the listing for the 62 acres (primer tracer property) being sold by the federal government and noted the site had been cleaned to an industrial standard. She understood the sale document for this property would state this property could not be developed for residential. Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 8:43 p.m. Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. Lyle Salmela, 1480 Arden Vista Court, reported he sent comments to the Planning Commission prior to the meeting. He reviewed his comments noting he served as the Chair of the Restoration Advisory Board that was set up by the Army to clean up TCAAP. He noted he was also elected to Chair the Energy Resiliency Board in 2014 and 2015. He commented on the Energy Integration Resiliency Framework (ERIF) that was completed for TCAAP. He explained he understood Councilmember Tena Monson and County Commissioner Nicole Frethem met with the president of NSP, along with Bob Lux of Alatus. He recommended the primer tracer property be zoned for