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AGENDA ITEM — 3D 'It ,ARZEN HILLS MEMORANDUM DATE: October 23, 2023 TO: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers Dave Perrault, City Administrator FROM: Jessica Jagoe, Community Development Director Julie Hanson, Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk SUBJECT: Solar Land Use Application Refund Discussion Budgeted Amount: Actual Amount: Funding Source: N/A N/A N/A Council Should Consider Council should discuss and provide direction on a refund of the land use application fees to Mr. Wahlberg for a request to the City to amend the city code to allow ground -mounted solar arrays in residential zoning districts. Background At the October 9, 2023 City Council meeting, the City Council directed staff to bring back to the Council at a future work session the discussion regarding a potential refunding of the land use application fees to Mr. Wahlberg. Mr. Wahlberg had previously spoken at the City Council work session on August 21, 2023, during Public Inquiries to request the City reconsider its current policy to allow ground -mounted solar panels on residential properties when they are not visible to adjacent properties. Following his comments, staff did not receive direction from the City Council to bring this matter forward to the Planning Commission. As a result following that meeting, Mr. Wahlberg made the decision to initiate said request to the City. He applied on September 17ffi for a city code amendment that would allow for ground -mounted solar arrays in residential zoning districts. This type of land use request has a $400 application fee and $1,500 escrow. The Planning Commission reviewed this planning case at their meeting on October 41h. There was discussion amongst the Commission about the process for land use application fees. The Commission was generally supportive of the Council considering a refund since the code amendment would be applicable city-wide for residential properties rather than site specific. Page 1 of 2