Meeting Date: April 15, 2021
To: Members of the Planning Commission
From: Mikayla Schmidt, City Planner
Title
Conditional Use Permit for 1MW Community Solar Garden for MN CSG 2019-77 LLC.
Body
Action Requested:
The Planning Commission is asked to consider the proposal and provide a recommendation to City Council on a Conditional Use Permit application from MN CSG 2019-77 LLC for a 1MW Community Solar Garden.
Summary Report:
The Community Development Department received a proposal from MN CSG 2019-77 LLC for a community solar garden (CSG) Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to permit a one-Megawatt Alternate Current photovoltaic system in the Agricultural Zoning District (A-S). The site is located at PID 43-02700-50-030, north of Highway 19/330th St. W. and west of Decker Ave. in Dakota County. This project will consist of approximately 4100 solar panels on approximately 8 acres of land as part of a 32.37-acre parcel of land owned by Michael and Eileen Tste Devney. The CSG will have a service period of 25-35 years.
The Planning Commission is asked to consider the proposal and provide a recommendation to City Council on the CUP for a CSG. Staff reviewed the proposal and applicable development policies, and coordinated with other City departments. Staff is recommending approval of the CSG with conditions outlined in the staff report.
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 4 Review Procedure found in Section 8.5.9 of the LDC. When reviewing a CUP, the Planning Commission is to consider the criteria below, in bold text. Staff suggested findings are provided after the criteria, in regular text.
a) The proposed use is allowed as a conditional use in the district for which it is proposed.
A Community Solar Garden is allowed as a conditional use in the A-S zone district a...
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