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<br />City of Arden Hills <br />Planning Commission Meeting for November 8, 2023 <br />P:\Planning\Planning Cases\2023\PC 23-018, Wahlberg Solar Energy System – CA <br />Page 4 of 8 <br /> <br />Planning Commission is invited to comment on this addition and offer any amendments deemed <br />necessary. <br /> <br />The first draft of Subd. 7(A)(3b) – Solar energy systems with mounting devices included a <br />regulation that roof-mounted systems shall be no higher than 12 inches above the roof. This <br />regulation in the drafted ordinance amendment aligns with other communities as a provision to <br />encourage the installation of flush-mounted solar energy systems. Based on information provided <br />All Energy Solar, non-flush roof-mounted solar energy systems, which are often installed on flat <br />roofs but can also be installed on pitched roofs to attain optimal sunlight, range from 13 inches to <br />4 feet above the roof surface. <br /> <br />The Minnesota Model Solar Ordinance includes language that roof-mount systems on flat roofs <br />visible from the nearest edge of the front right-of-way shall not be more than five feet above the <br />finished roof. In response to this information, language has been drafted to allow for height <br />flexibility for a flat-roof-mounted solar energy system of up to 5 feet above the roof surface, <br />subject to Zoning Administrator approval and the height requirements established in Subd. 7(A)(1) <br />– Height. The Planning Commission can review this language and provide comments on other <br />possible amendments. <br /> <br />Subd. 7(A)(4a) – Coverage was drafted based on the coverage requirements in the AHC and the <br />solar ordinance language of neighboring communities. The section includes the requirement that <br />a roof-mounted solar energy system should not take up more than 80 percent of a south-facing or <br />flat roof. Staff reviewed this provision and inferred that it is used by other cities to ensure ready <br />roof access in the event of a fire or other safety occurrence. The All Energy Solar had referenced <br />that roof access and load are regulated by the Building Code. As a follow-up, staff discussed the <br />80 percent regulation with the City Building Inspector and confirmed that the 2020 Minnesota <br />Building Code requirements for roof-mounted solar energy systems already account for roof <br />access as well as any weight load concerns. <br /> <br />The less than 80 percent coverage requirement has been removed from the drafted ordinance <br />amendment as the intent behind this regulation has been verified as part of the building permit <br />application review process. The Building Inspector would verify a roof-mounted solar energy <br />system meets the safety access and weight requirements of the Minnesota Building Code before <br />issuing a building permit for a roof-mounted solar energy system. The drafted ordinance language <br />has been modified to reference the roof coverage requirements of the Building Code. Attachment <br />D provides an overview of the 2020 Minnesota Building Code requirements for roof-mounted <br />solar energy systems. The Planning Commission may consider the drafted language and propose <br />amendments. <br /> <br />Zoning Code Text Amendments <br /> <br />To allow ground-mounted solar energy systems as a land use in the R-1, R-2, R-3, NR-1, NR-2, <br />and NR-3 residential zoning districts, the City’s Zoning Code would need to be amended to <br />designate Solar Energy System as an Accessory Use. If approved, an Applicant of any future