Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – October 4, 2023 7 <br /> <br />Commissioner Bjorklund believed the City needed to get practical and understand what times <br />the community was facing. He stated solar would be critical going forward in order to reduce green <br />house gas emissions. He was of the opinion the zoning code amendment should move forward <br />because it was very important. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums recommended the following language change in Item A2(b): ground or pole <br />mounted solar energy systems are only permitted in rear yards and may not extend into the required <br />rear yard accessory setback. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen indicated staff can modify this language to include the word not. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums requested clarification on Item 4(c). <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen explained in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 residential districts, residential <br />properties are permitted a maximum impervious surface coverage of 35% . She stated the proposed <br />language would allow a property that had 35% coverage and was looking to install solar, to have <br />an increase of up to 10% to accommodate the solar system if the provisions in Item 4(c) were <br />satisfied. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums asked that staff review this language in order for it to read more clearly. He <br />suggested language be added from the Minnesota Solar Ordinance to the City’s Ordinance (Page <br />11) when it comes to soil conditions for a panel system. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen indicated staff could add language if this was the recommendation of the <br />Planning Commission. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the engineering behind installing a solar array system. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums supported the Ordinance addressing the need for qualified engineered drawings for <br />solar arrays. <br /> <br />Commissioner Wicklund agreed stating it may be beneficial to have engineers looking at the <br />structural integrity of the mounting system. <br /> <br />Commissioner Collins stated this would be yet another financial burden for residents looking to <br />install a solar energy system. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums believed it was critical to have an engineer reviewing these plans to ensure the <br />structural load could withstand the wind and weather. <br /> <br />Senior Planner Fransen stated representatives from All Energy Solar were in attendance and <br />could address the Planning Commission on the drafted ordinance language. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums opened the public hearing at 7:49 p.m. <br /> <br />Chair Vijums invited anyone for or against the application to come forward and make comment. <br /> <br />Danielle DeMarre, All Energy Solar, introduced herself to the Commission. She explained All <br />Energy Solar was a local energy solar installer that installed over 8,000 systems. She requested <br />the language within the zoning code amendment be reconsidered under Item 3 – Visibility. She