11-08-23 PC Agenda - Laserfiche WebLink

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City of Arden Hills Planning Commission Meeting for November 8, 2023 P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2023\PC 23-018, Wahlberg Solar Energy System – CA Page 3 of 8 require screening of the back (rear) side for the ground-mounted solar panels that establishes standards for reducing visibility of electrical wiring and/or mounting hardware. TCAAP Redevelopment Code The Planning Commission directed staff to determine how the provisions for roof- and ground- mounted solar energy systems could be applicable to the residential zoning districts in the TRC. Staff reviewed the TRC sections that mirror the Accessory Uses and Land Use Chart of Sections 1325.02 and 1305.01. Staff also considered possible inconsistencies between the Arden Hills Code (“AHC”) sections and the TRC sections that might impact solar energy systems as an accessory use for the NR-1, NR-2, and NR-3 residential zoning districts. Upon review of the TRC, staff found code language in Subsection 6.1(h)(iii) of Section 1380 that exempts roof-mounted solar energy systems from height limits in all TRC zoning districts “so long as they do not extend more than fifteen feet above the roof upon which they are located.” To maintain consistency in the residential development of solar energy systems across the city, the proposed solar energy system ordinance language for the TRC residential zoning districts includes an amendment to Subsection 6.1(h)(iii) of Section 1380 stating that solar energy systems in NR- 1, NR-2, and NR-3 are not exempt from the height limitations. The height for solar energy systems in the TRC residential districts would be regulated by the provisions in Section 1325.03 Accessory Uses Subd. 7 Solar Energy Systems as drafted in the proposed ordinance amendment. Staff determined that the drafted ordinance language permitting solar energy systems as an accessory use in R-1, R-2, and R-3 is compatible with the existing standards and regulations for the NR-1, NR-2, and NR-3 residential districts in the TRC. The proposed ordinance amendments would add solar energy systems to the TRC Schedule of Permitted Uses as an accessory use with criteria for the NR-1, NR-2, and NR-3 zoning districts. A reference to the provisions proposed for Section 1325.02 Accessory Uses would be added to Section 1380 5.2 Additional Use Criteria. Comments from All Energy Solar At the October 4, 2023 meeting of the Planning Commission, an All Energy Solar representative provided public comment with regards to the drafted ordinance amendment. Comments included suggestions to modify 1325.02 Accessory Uses Subd. 7(A)(3) - Visibility, to clarify Subd. 7(A)(3b) – Solar energy systems with mounting devices and the language stating that roof- mounted systems shall be no higher than 12 inches above the roof, and to explain the Subd. 7(A)(4a) – Coverage provision that roof-mounted solar energy systems shall not cover more than 80 percent of a south-facing or flat roof. The All Energy Solar representative asked if the ordinance language could establish that screening of a solar energy system should not negatively impact its efficacy. In Subd. 7(A)(3) - Visibility, staff has added the clause, “to the extent that doing so does not affect the cost or efficacy of the system,” to the drafted ordinance amendment. This language was provided in the Minnesota Model Solar Ordinance and is included in the ordinances of several neighboring communities. The