11-08-23 PC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ARDEN HILLS PLANNING COMMISSION – November 8, 2023 3 10. Amendments to the Zoning Code regulations require a public hearing prior to action by the City Council. 11. If the zoning amendments were approved, an Applicant would be required to apply for administrative review and approval for a Solar Energy System within the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential Districts and the NR-1, NR-2, and NR-3 Residential Districts. 12. The Planning Commission considered this land use application on October 4, 2023 and tabled the application with direction for staff to revise the drafted ordinance language. Senior Planner Fransen reviewed the options available to the Planning Commission for Planning Case 23-018 for a Zoning Code Amendment to Chapter 13 of the Arden Hills City Code to allow Solar Energy System as an Accessory Use in the R-1, R-2, and R-3 Residential Districts and NR-1, NR-2, and NR-3 Residential Districts: 1. Recommend Approval 2. Recommend Approval with Amendments 3. Recommend Denial 4. Table Chair Vijums opened the floor to Commissioner comments. Commissioner Weber asked if the lack of screening within an application would require a variance. Senior Planner Fransen reported this would be based on the design of the solar array and if it would be visible from the right of way or adjacent residential properties. Chair Vijums commented on the screening language, stating he believes the language was sufficient in that it accounted for those who are not choosing to install a solar energy system but are affected by their visual presence. Commissioner Weber commented that the statement “to the extent that doing so does not affect the cost or efficacy of the system” could provide an out from screening. Chair Vijums stated that options are given for different types of screening so an applicant could select a cheaper method. While he understood the screening requirements would cost applicants more money, in the end, the applicant would be saving money on their electrical bills. Community Development Director Jagoe added that the language as drafted addresses the design, placement, or location impact on the cost of a proposed solar energy system, not the cost of screening that might be required for the proposed system to be in compliance with the code. Commissioner Bjorklund thanked staff for their efforts on this Planning Case. He explained he reviewed the proposed code amendments and he supported them fully. He recommended Attachments F, G and H be referred to in the proposed code amendment. Commissioner Mitchell questioned if corner lots would require additional screening.