Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAbout2024-07-22 PACKET 08.2 (RESPONSE TO PC REQUEST AT 5-20-2024 MEETING)Cottage J Grove here Pride and Q,.5perity Meet TO: Planning Commission FROM: Emily Schmitz, Community Development Director DATE: July 19, 2024 RE: Planning Commission Requests — May 20, 2024 Background At its May 20, 2024, meeting the Planning Commission had multiple requests for staff to research related to existing community solar gardens throughout the City. The requests are summarized below, and information provided in the subsequent sections. What are the requirements related to vegetation planting for existing community solar gardens? Were they required to plan native vegetation, and if not can we request they plant and establish native vegetation? Does the City have visibility on the performance of the existing community solar gardens? Can the City enforce and require all lines be underground? What entity regulates whether lines are overhead or underground? Existing Solar Gardens There are currently 4 existing community solar gardens that operate within the City. They are referred to by their approved project names which are McHattie Solar Garden, EcoPlexus, Borner, and Meyers. Each of the sites were approved within the years of 2015-2017 are located in the eastern agricultural areas of the City and within the approved community solar garden areas per Exhibit A of Ordinance No. 985. Planning Commission Planning Commission Requests — May 20, 2024 July 19, 2024 Page 2 of 4 ZUZJ Heriai iviap or txisting community soiar uaraen sites Vegetation Planting Requirements The City's original solar energy systems ordinance that regulated community solar gardens was adopted in 2015 (Ordinance 948) and revised in 2017 (Ordinance 985). Each of the existing community solar gardens were approved with the standards of Ordinance 948. The ordinance at the time did not regulate vegetative planting and maintenance requirements. However, each of the Applicants at the time indicated they proposed to plant native pollinator friendly vegetation that would follow the "Pollinator Protection Pledge". The pledge was a commitment to grow pollinator -friendly flowers, provide nest sites, and avoid the use of pesticides. Even though each of the Applicants noted they would plant native pollinator friendly vegetation with the solar array area of each project, City Code at the time did not require a vegetative management plan be submitted. As a result, each solar site planted native pollinator friendly seed Planning Commission Planning Commission Requests — May 20, 2024 July 19, 2024 Page 3 of 4 mixes at the time of development, but each site has different levels of establishment as there was not a long-term vegetive management plan required. Staff has conducted further research into the establishment of each site and discussed existing sites with a qualified consultant. Given the amount of time since each site was seeded, it is not practical to remove all of the vegetation onsite as it would most likely require the use of pesticides as well as the chances of reestablishment are unknown. The recommended course of action is to monitor each site individually for noxious weed growth and eradicate any noxious weeds and "volunteer" plants that may be growing. In addition, Engineering staff meets onsite with each solar site operator once per year to verify the site is meeting stormwater management standards. Throughout the onsite meetings, the solar operators have stated the solar panels are being kept in operating condition and are performing to the originally expected standard. Performance Reports Given each solar site is owned and operated by a private business entity, the City does not have access to specific performance reports for each site. However, each year Xcel Energy publishes an annual report relating to community solar garden performance per their Community Solar Gardens Program. The most recently published annual report can be found here 2022 Annual Report. Review Process The review and approval process for a community solar garden is detailed and extensive with multiple entities involved. A summary of the overall process related to Xcel Energy's involvement is outlined below. To note, Xcel Energy's main involvement is related to the interconnection where a given solarfarm connects to the utility's power grid. In addition, an applicant generally is required to have land use approvals from the local jurisdiction prior to submitting an interconnection application. Interconnection Review Process: - Pre -Application - Initiate Application - Initial Engineering Screens - Supplemental Review - System Impact Study - Transmission Impact Study - Facilities Study - Interconnection Agreement - Design and Construction - Metering and Testing - Permission to Operate (PTO) During the interconnection review process listed above, Xcel Energy conducts design review of the proposed solar project submitted by the applicant. Part of the review involves how the project will interconnect from the private power lines to the Xcel owned power grid. As Xcel reviews, a Planning Commission Planning Commission Requests — May 20, 2024 July 19, 2024 Page 4 of 4 determination is made as to whether the project could have the power lines be underground. Generally, in most cases, power lines can be underground although there is a substantially higher cost to the applicant. However, it is important to note that City Code Title 11-4-13.D.5 requires all power lines be underground for both the private power lines within the subject property and at the interconnection point. A condition of approval in the most recently approved solar project required power lines be underground unless Xcel Energy requires the power lines be above ground in order for the project to be constructed. According to Xcel Energy, the total maximum timeline for an interconnection application is 300 business days and the most common total cost related to the interconnection review process is $37,200 but varies by application.