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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2015-08-12 PACKET 04.A.ii. REC�U�S I OF CI I Y COUNCIL AC I ION ��UNCIL A��N�A MEETING ITEM # � • • DATE 8/12/15 • �. ,) . PREPARED BY: Community Development Jennifer Levitt ORIGINATING DEPARTMENT STAFF AUTHOR * * * * * � * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * :� * * * * * * * * * COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST: Receive and place on file the approved minutes for the Planning Commission's meeting on June 22, 2015. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: Approve the request. BUDGET IMPLICATION: $N/A $N/A N/A BUDGETED AMOUNT ACTUAL AMOUNT FUNDING SOURCE ADVISORY COMMISSION ACTION: DATE REVIEWED APPROVED DENIED � PLANNING 7/27/15 ❑ � ❑ ❑ PUBLIC SAFETY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PUBLIC WORKS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ PARKS AND RECREATION ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ HUMAN SERVICES/RIGHTS ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ECONOMIC DEV. AUTHORITY ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ ❑ SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS: ❑ MEMO/LETTER: ❑ RESOLUTION: ❑ ORDINANCE: ❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION: ❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION: � OTHER: Planning Commission minutes from meeting on June 22, 2015 ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS: � �C� ' ������ ; -��_lS� City�`- ministrator Date * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * � * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * :� * * * COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER City of Cottage Grove Planning Commission June 22, 2015 A meeting of the Planning Commission was held at Cottage Grove City Hall, 12800 Ravine Park- way South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota, on Monday, June 22, 2015, in the Council Chambers and telecast on Local Government Cable Channel 16. Call to Order Vice Chair Graff called the Planning Commission meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Roll Call Members Present: Justin Fox, Kimberly Graff, Jake Haagsman, Wayne Johnson, Jim Rostad, Roger Zopfi Members Absent: Ken Brittain, Adam Graf, Kathy Kline Staff Present: John M. Burbank, Senior Planner John McCool, Senior Planner Justin Olsen, City Councilmember Approval of Agenda Rostad made a motion to approve the agenda. Haagsman seconded. The motion was approved unanimously(6-to-0 vote). Open Forum Graff asked if anyone wished to address the Planning Commission on any non-agenda item. No one addressed the Commission. Chair's Explanation of the Public Hearing Process Graff explained the purpose of the Planning Commission, which serves in an advisory capacity to the City Council, and that the City Council makes all final decisions. In addition, she explained the process of conducting a public hearing and requested that any person wishing to speak should go to the microphone and state their full name and address for the public record. Discussion Items 6.1 City Code Amendment— Solar Energy Regulations McCool summarized the staff memorandum and requested direction from the Commission. Johnson asked if the panels are installed above the shingles. McCool responded yes. Johnson asked if the homeowner would need to pull the shingles off and then put them back on. McCool Planning Commission Minutes June 22, 2015 Page 2 of 4 responded that the framework for mounting those panels onto the roof would be attached to the roof shingles. Johnson asked if a new permit would be required for replacing the solar panels if a new roof is installed. McCool stated that a building permit is required for all roof projects. Johnson then asked if solar panels would be allowed on properties adjacent to parks and trails. McCool responded that roof-mounted panels would be visible to everybody and freestanding panels would be allowed in all rear yards. Johnson asked why they would not be allowed in front of the house. McCool responded that accessory structures are not allowed in front yards. Rostad asked if staff received feedback from the Council and other Commissions regarding ground-mounted units in residential areas. He stated that he could not support ground- mounted units in residential areas, particularly allowing them to be up to the same size as accessory structures. He asked if anti-reflective covering limits the functionality of the solar panels, and suggested that if they are allowed in backyards, it should be mandated that they have an approved anti-reflective surFace. McCool responded that the City currently allows for satellite dishes and wind turbines as freestanding structures in rear yards in all zoning districts and those have to meet the setbacks requirements for that zoning district. He stated that if the ordinance does not allow for freestanding solar panels, we may have to look at the wind turbine and satellite dish requirements. Rostad expressed concern about enforcement on glare com- ing off solar panel system. Olsen recommended to staff that there should be discussion with the Environmental Commission. He stated that the Environmental Commission toured 3M a couple years ago to look at their technology for solar panels, both building-mounted and free- standing. He thought it was very informative to learn more about the current technology and a lot of the questions that the Commission is asking were addressed in the presentation by 3M; he suggested asking 3M to address the Planning Commission. McCool suggested holding a joint meeting with the Environmental Commission and inviting representatives from the indus- try to provide information on solar panels and gardens. He noted that staff has not discussed this proposed ordinance with the City Council or other advisory commissions yet. Olsen stated that the City has solar panels on the rooftops of some city buildings. He does not believe the issues raised by the Planning Commission would cause any concerns. Fox expressed concern about the aesthetics of freestanding solar panels in residential yards. He would prefer allowing them only on roof tops and sides of buildings in urban residential districts. Zopfi stated that with the current technology, there should be no need for ground-mounted solar panels as rooftop mounted ones should be sufficient. He does not think freestanding panels should be allowed in urban residential neighborhoods. Those units could be allowed in rural areas or on parcels more than three acres. Haagsman stated that solar is a rapidly developing technology and that we should ascertain which way it is going to go — allowing panels on roofs or community solar gardens. He suggested making it attractive for community solar gardens to do business here. Johnson stated that homeowners associations could mandate that solar panels would not be allowed in their developments. Rostad agrees that homeowners associations may ban these but the City needs to look at protection for existing neighborhoods that don't have associations. Burbank asked Rostad if he is opposed to allowing solar panels on urban residential lots only versus rural acreage lots. Rostad responded that was correct. Planning Commission Minutes June 22, 2015 Page 3 of 4 Graff asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak. John Kooyman, 6749 Geneva Avenue South, stated that he is interested in a standalone system on his five-acre property. He is concerned about language in the ordinance regarding percentage of roof coverage. He is looking at a ten kilowatt system that would be about 36 feet by 32 feet freestanding. He does not have enough roof area to put that many solar panels up. He asked that the ordinance allow properties with more acreage to be able to have freestanding units. He would not be opposed to screening requirements on the north side of the system. Approval of Planning Commission Minutes of May 18, 2015 Rostad made a motion to approve the minutes for the May 18, 2015, Planning Commis- sion meeting. Johnson seconded. Motion passed unanimously(6-to-0 vote). Reports 8.1 Recap of City Council Meetings Olsen reported that at the June 3, 2015, City Council meeting, the Council approved the conditional use permit and site plan review for the addition to the Church of St. Rita; the site plan review and variance for the addition to Up North Plastics; the 2015 East Ravine Alternative Urban Areawide Review (AUAR); and the shed variance application at 8315 Jorgensen Alcove. At the June 17 meeting, the Council approved the final plat for Eastridge Woods 4th Addition. Olsen welcomed Jake Haagsman to the Planning Commission. He provided a recap about the Strawberry Festival. He stated that the Cottage Grove Lions Club in conjunction with the City of Cottage Grove will put on a fireworks display at Kingston Park on the 4th of July. He reported that last week there was a groundbreaking ceremony for the Renewal by Andersen addition and a ribbon cutting ceremony for Leafline Labs. He also gave a reminder about the City's odd/even watering ban. 8.2 Response to Planning Commission Inquiries None. 8.3 Planning Commission Requests Johnson asked for an update on the Rush and Majestic buildings. Olsen responded that there are legal issues relating to the Rush that should be resolved soon. One of the challenges the City faces with the Majestic property is the lack of access. The City has been working with MnDOT and Washington County over the past five years on federal grant funding to help with infrastructure improvements, which could include a refurbishing of the CSAH 19 bridge over Highway 61 and a connection to the West Point Douglas frontage road. He then stated that County is participating in other transportation projects in Cottage Grove, including improvements to the 70th Street and Jamaica Avenue intersection and Jamaica Avenue north to Military Road. Rostad asked about better road access to West Point Douglas Road by the Planning Commission Minutes June 22, 2015 Page 4 of 4 Rush. Olsen responded that MnDOT is willing to work with the City on that a cost-benefit analysis will need to be done. Adjournment Johnson made a motion to adjourn. Rostad seconded. The meeting was adjourned at 8:17 p.m. (6-to-0 vote).