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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — NOVEMBER 27, 2023 13 System as an Accessory Use with Criteria in the NR-1, NR-2, and NR-3 Residential Districts. 6. The City is proposing to amend Section 1380 6.1 — General to All Zoning Districts to state solar energy systems in NR-1, NR-2, and NR-3 are not exempt from height limitations regulated by zoning district. 7. Of 17 local communities surveyed, a majority allow for ground -mounted solar energy systems as a use in residential districts which can be approved administratively. 8. In Chapter 10 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan — Protected Resources, "City encourages development of distributed solar energy systems that are in keeping with the community's character and use community solar resources" is listed as an implementation strategy. 9. In Chapter 12 of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan — Resilience and Sustainability, "Encourage the use of renewable energy and work to protect access to direct sunlight for solar energy systems" is listed as an implementation strategy. 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. 13. The Planning Commission conducted a public hearing for the Text Amendment on November 8, 2023. Community Development Director Jagoe explained the Planning Commission originally reviewed this application at their October 4, 2023 meeting. At that time, they tabled Planning Case 23-018 with direction to staff to provide language for the aesthetics, screening, and visibility of ground -mounted solar energy systems, to incorporate the residential zoning districts that are regulated by the TRC, and incorporate comments given by an All Energy Solar representative during the October 4, 2023 public hearing. The Planning Commission reviewed an updated application at their November 8, 2023 meeting. At that time, they recommended approval of Planning Case 23-018 for Zoning Code Amendments to Chapter 13 by a 5-0-1 vote (Commissioner Collins was absent and Commissioner Wicklund abstained). Councilmember Monson asked what the timeline was for the applicant's project. Donald Wahlberg, the Applicant, explained the project would not be constructed until next spring. Councilmember Monson indicated she had comments regarding screening. She explained she had extensive questions regarding rear versus side yard. She stated she would be happy to table action on this item in order for the Council to hold a more broad discussion on this item. She understood people wanted solar screened, but noted this was not something that could be screened due to the sheer size and it would impact the efficacy of the system. Councilmember Holden stated it was her understanding the language regarding screening was taken from other cities ordinances. She asked if these cities were having concerns.