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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,January 20,2015 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Gaffron stated a variance in that situation might make more sense rather than meeting the standards for a <br /> conditional use permit. <br /> Thiesse asked if the City is being too strict if 80 percent of the City's 10-acre lots are unable to meet the <br /> setbacks. <br /> Gaffron stated it depends on what the City's desired outcome is. If the intent is to allow wind generators <br /> that are functional, efficient and have no impacts on anyone,there will be a limited number of properties <br /> that will be able to meet those standards. Gaffron stated the trade-off might be higher devices. <br /> Thiesse indicated he does not have the technical knowledge to know whether an additional five feet <br /> would make it more efficient. <br /> Schoenzeit stated it will be very site dependent as well. Schoenzeit stated the actual installation of the <br /> wind turbine will also determine whether it will be efficient. <br /> Leskinen stated once the standards are set,the variance process would make more sense than a <br /> conditional use permit since a variance would be specific to each property. Leskinen stated she would not <br /> allow WECS on any lots that are smaller than ten acres or less than a 300 feet setback. <br /> Lemke asked whether the City wants to have 80 percent of the properties that qualify come in for a <br /> variance. <br /> Thiesse stated there will probably only be two to three percent of that number that are interested in wind <br /> energy. <br /> Landgraver stated ten acres seems reasonable given the setbacks suggested and that he does not see a <br /> reason to change the 45-foot height limit. Landgraver stated the City could look at it again if the City <br /> starts to receive a high volume of variance requests. <br /> Schoenzeit stated the variance process can be used to review site specific requests and practical <br /> difficulties. <br /> Leskinen stated in her view that is pretty reasonable if the City is interested in limiting the impacts to the <br /> neighbors. <br /> Gaffron stated assuming the limitation of 10 kW capacity for allowed WECS, the expectation for the <br /> ability to generate excess electrical power to the grid is minimal at best and it would be reasonable to <br /> establish a code provision that power generated by the WECS shall be consumed on-site for residential <br /> use and not distributed across property lines. Gaffron asked if the Planning Commission is interested in <br /> allowing electrical power outside of the property. <br /> Schoenzeit stated what they should not be able to do is run a line to their neighbors bypassing the grid but <br /> that they should be able to hook up to the local utility. <br /> McGrann stated in his view the electricity generated should only be allowed for that property and that he <br /> does not want this to turn into a money making venture. <br /> Page 8 of 21 <br />