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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Tuesday,January 22,2019 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Pictures of the house and property were displayed. <br /> Lindstrom noted even in the fall the roof is shaded pretty considerably by a tree,which is the primary <br /> reason it was not proposed for the roof. There is an approximate 15 percent shade loss in the proposed <br /> location. <br /> Landgraver asked how the Planning Commission can be assured that these will not create a lot of glare. <br /> Lindstrom indicated the purpose of the panels is to absorb sunlight and that it would not make sense if the <br /> panels are reflecting a lot of that sunlight. The panels manufactured nowadays are covered with an <br /> antireflective coating to make sure there is minimal glare, and, in fact,vertical windows generate more <br /> glare. <br /> Lemke asked if they have a steel or glass surface. <br /> Lindstrom indicated they have a glass surface with an antireflective coating but that he does not have the <br /> exact specifications. <br /> Libby commented he would like to have solar panels on his home but in the winter time they would not <br /> gather enough energy to make it feasible. Libby stated this is a technology that has changed and rapidly <br /> accelerated in proficiency within the past three years. If someone looks at solar gardens and farms, both <br /> private and public, in order for them to use this as a technology, many of them have to be ground <br /> mounted, and that this might be something for the City to discuss in the future. <br /> Libby stated in his view solar panels themselves are effective and produce more energy than they did two <br /> years ago but that there are other methods of gathering solar energy. For example, in Europe they are <br /> using a solar array that tracks the sun and those are relatively unobtrusive. The panels also close up and <br /> fold down to protect itself from the elements. Libby indicated he would tend to be open-minded about the <br /> placement of the array as long as it is not intrusive to the neighbors. <br /> Lemke asked if these are fixed panels. <br /> Lindstrom indicated they are fixed panels with a 35 percent tilt. <br /> Ferril stated they moved into the house 36 years ago and it was solid buckthorn that she thought was <br /> pretty until she took a course at the technical college. The lot is just short of three acres and is very <br /> beautiful. There are a number of beautiful trees and the buckthorn has been removed. Along the Luce <br /> Line is a ridge. <br /> Ferril indicated she has tried to get solar for a long time but was told in the past that the roof is too <br /> shaded. One day she went up to the top of the hill and saw that the area was eroding. Ferril stated she <br /> asked if there is a possibility of putting it by the Luce Line and hiding it with native vegetation that will <br /> grow up to the bottom of the rack. Ferril indicated she met with Keith Parker with the DNR about the <br /> Luce Line, and he was fine with her clearing it out as long as she paid for it. <br /> Ferril indicated she keeps planting more trees and flowers on her property. In addition, Prairie <br /> Restoration will work with her on a landscaping plan and that she will probably plant low mow fescue or <br /> Page 15 of 20 <br />