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tricky; you need to consider shading, etc. Planning Commission Member Wilson noted <br /> he was concerned as viewed from the highway. Mr. Johnson stated he would prefer not <br /> to use a i2-foot chain linked fence with slats. Lilacs bushes would be nice, with a fence <br /> for security as there is high voltage on the ground. The developer of this project would <br /> be a competent electrical developer of projects of this type and size. <br /> Planning Commission Member Paulbeck stated solar farms in a more rural/residential <br /> area could intrude on the quality of life. Screening could be a factor in those areas. <br /> Council Member Pederson asked if this project would be a residential or commercial <br /> farm. Mr. Johnson stated it would be a commercial grade utility. Council Member <br /> Pederson inquired the size of the project. Mr. Johnson stated approximately 2o acres, <br /> with i4 to i6 acres of panels. Mr. Pederson stated a lot of projects require screening. <br /> Mr. Johnson pointed out the solar farm between Clear Lake and Clearwater is <br /> distracting. Council Member Pederson stated they can be made aesthetically pleasing. <br /> Mr. Burslie stated the definition for Ground Mounted Solar doesn't state the size, <br /> whether it is 1 panel or ioo panels. The commercial solar arrays could be permitted as <br /> conditional uses, with strict conditions on screening. You could require a detailed <br /> screening plan, go through the public hearing process. That process is probably not <br /> what we would want to do with a residential unit. There could be a commercial category <br /> and a residential category. <br /> Planning Commission Member Larson stated commercial suppliers should be required <br /> to go through the permitting process. Mr. Johnson stated the City is not unreasonable <br /> requiring a conditional use permit for a solar garden. <br /> Mr. Johnson stated he was hopeful the City would be open to looking at ground <br /> mounted solar. These types of projects take a long time to plan and complete. <br /> Chair Birch asked if this could be tabled and have the proposed amendment rewritten to <br /> include residential and commercial language. Mr. Burslie stated it sounds like we have <br /> time to amend the ordinance. Mr. Burslie asked Mr. Johnson if he has seen other <br /> ordinances that break it down by size, kilowatt, or residential and commercial. Mr. <br /> Johnson suggested the default could be size of panels. Mr. Burslie asked if it could be <br /> written on the amount of electricity the panels provide. Chair Birch stated that <br /> shouldn't matter; it is the aesthetics and livability next to them that is important. <br /> Mr. Johnson and RREAL will provide additional information for the ne�ct meeting. <br /> PUBLIC COMMENT OPENED: <br /> No public comment. <br /> MINUTES g <br /> Pequot Lakes Planning Commission <br /> January i6, 2020 <br />