City Council Meeting Date: February 19, 2019
To: Mayor and City Council
City Administrator
From: Scott Tempel, City Planner
Title
Conditional Use Permit for 1MW Community Solar Garden.
Body
Action Requested:
The Northfield City Council considers a Resolution approving a Conditional Use Permit for a proposed 1MW Community Solar Garden.
Summary Report:
The Community Development Department received a proposal from Nokomis Energy for a community solar garden (CSG) conditional use permit (CUP) to permit a Photovoltaic Ground lMWac Solar Energy System in the Agricultural Zoning District (A-S). The project is located at 320th Street and Garrett Avenue in Dakota County. Chub Garden LLC will consist of approximately 3700 to 4000 panels on roughly 5 acres of land. The CSG will have a contract life of 25 years and a useful life of 35 years. Once operating, this project will deliver ~1,800,000 kWh of clean, local energy annually to the surrounding community for 25+ years with only the sun as feedstock. As part of Xcel Energy's Solar*Rewards Community Program, Xcel Energy customers may subscribe to a solar garden and receive a credit on their monthly Xcel Energy bill based upon the production of their garden subscription.
The Planning Commission held a public hearing on the proposal at its January 17, 2019. One neighbor spoke in support of the project and three neighbors voiced opposition. Those in opposition voiced concern that the project was an eyesore and out of character with the rural neighborhood. One noted that Greenvale Township has twice voted down allowing solar gardens. The Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend approval of the project, noting that it meets the City regulations. Staff is recommending approval.
Conditional Use Permit Analysis:
The site is currently located in the A-S Agricultural zoning district. The proposed project is allowed as a Conditional Use according to Table 2.7-1: Permitted Principal Uses. A CUP follows the Type...
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