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HomeMy Public PortalAbout619 Ordinance Regarding Solar Equipment Amending Chapter 8 of the City Codei CITY OF MEDINA ORDINANCE NO.619 AN ORDINANCE REGARDING SOLAR EQUIPMENT; AMENDING CHAPTER 8 OF THE CITY CODE The City Council of the City of Medina ordains as follows: SECTION I. Section 828.09 of the code of ordinances of the city of Medina is amended by deleting the stricken language and adding the underlined language as follows: Section 828.09. Solar Eauipment. Any equipment or device that utilizes, operates or supplies energy derived from the sun shall meet the following standards: Subd. 1. Solar Equipment, if affixed to a structure. The following standards shall apply to Solar Equipment which is affixed to a structure: (a) The equipment or device must be affixed to a structure and meet all setback requirements for principal structures in the zoning district where located. (b) The equipment or device may not exceed the height of the building by more than five feet, and shall cover no more than 70 percent of the roof to which it is affixed. (c) The equipment or device must be designed and constructed in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes. (d) The equipment or device must be in compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding co -generation of energy. (e) All solar arrays or panels shall be installed or positioned so as not to cause any glare or reflective sunlight onto neighboring properties or structures. (f) Solar equipment which is mounted to a roof which is not flat, and which is visible from the nearest right-of-way, shall not have a finished pitch more than five percent steeper than the roof. Subd. 2. Ground -mounted Solar Equipment. (a) The following standards shall apply to Ground -mounted Solar Equipment within the Business and Industrial Park zoning districts: (i) Ground -mounted Solar Equipment shall only be permitted in the Business and Industrial Park zoning districts and only following Conditional Use Permit approval. (ii) Solar Equipment shall be set back a minimum of 300 feet from residential property. (iii) Solar Equipment shall meet all setback requirements for principal structures in the zoning district where located. (iv) The footprint occupied by Solar Equipment shall be considered lot coverage and impervious surface for the purpose of calculating such standards. The footprint shall include all space between pieces of Solar Equipment, unless the pieces are separated by more than 25 feet. Ordinance No. 619 1 October 17, 2017 (v) The footprint occupied by Solar Equipment shall not exceed 20% of the lot. (vi) The equipment or device may not exceed a height of 20 feet. (vii) The City may require landscaping or other means of screening to limit visual impacts of the mounting devices of the Solar Equipment. (viii) The equipment or device must be designed and constructed in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes. (ix) The equipment or device must be in compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding co -generation of energy. (x) All solar arrays or panels shall be installed or positioned so as not to cause any glare or reflective sunlight onto neighboring properties or structures, or obstruct views. (xi) The City may require compliance with any other conditions, restrictions or limitations deemed reasonably necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare and to promote harmony with neighboring uses. (b) The following standards shall apply to Ground -mounted Solar Equipment within residential zoning districts in which such Equipment is permitted: (i) Ground -mounted Solar Equipment shall only be permitted in the Agricultural Preservation, Rural Residential, Rural Residential -Urban Reserve, Rural Residential- 1, and Rural Residential-2 zoning districts. (ii) Ground -mounted Solar Equipment shall only be permitted on a parcel which is five acres or greater in area. (iii) Solar Equipment shall only be allowed as an accessory use on a parcel with an existing principal structure and electric production shall not significantly exceed anticipated electrical use on the property. (iv) Ground -mounted Solar Equipment shall be set back a minimum of 100 feet from all property lines. (v) The equipment or device may not exceed a height of 15 feet. (vi) Landscaping or other means of screening shall be installed adjacent to the rear and sides of the Solar Equipment to limit visual impacts of the structural supports. A minimum of one shrub per 10 linear feet or one tree per 30 linear feet shall be required. Landscaping or screening shall have an anticipated mature height of at least 75% of the height of the Solar Equipment, but shall not be required in front of solar panels. This requirement may alternatively be achieved through fencing, existing vegetation, or similar measures. (vii) The equipment or device must be designed and constructed in compliance with all applicable building and electrical codes. (i*viii) The equipment or device must be in compliance with all state and federal regulations regarding co -generation of energy. (ix) Ground -mounted Solar Equipment with a footprint exceeding 1500 square feet shall only be permitted upon conditional use permit review and approval, subject to the conditions noted below: (1) Ground -mounted Solar Equipment with a footprint exceeding 1500 square feet shall only Le permitted e n pare is ::hich fe 10 shall not ai �.. iv uvi �.� occupy a footprint exceeding the lesser of the following amounts: (A) One percent of the area of the property on which it is located; or Ordinance No. 619 2 October 17, 2017 (B) The footprint occupied by the Solar Equipment shall not exceed 2500 1000 square feet; (4)(2) The City may require applicant shall demonstrate to the satisfaction of the City that additional landscaping or other means of screening to —will be implemented to limit visual impacts of the Solar Equipment; and (-2)(3) The City may require compliance with any other conditions, restrictions or limitations deemed reasonably necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, to protect the rural viewsheds and the natural environment, and to promote harmony with neighboring uses. SECTION II. This ordinance shall become effective upon its adoption and publication. Adopted by the Medina city council this 17t" day of October, 2017. Bob Mitchell, Mayor Attest: 964 Jodi M. Gallup, City Clerk Published in the Crow River News on the 26`h day of October, 2017. Ordinance No. 619 3 October 17, 2017 V