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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 /> Pennsylvania sedge underneath the rack and then prairie grass around it. Ferri! indicated her idea is to <br /> have a mosaic garden out by the Luce Line. <br /> Libby asked if there will be acid batteries and an inverter. <br /> Lindstrom indicated there will be micro-converters that attach to each individual panel that convert the <br /> energy into AC/DC current. <br /> Libby asked where the acid batteries will be stored. <br /> Lindstrom stated there will be no batteries being installed as part of this design. <br /> Chair John Thiesse opened the public hearing at 8:12 p.m. <br /> Kris stated she lives behind the subject property and that their topography is higher than this lot so they <br /> will look down on it. Kris stated she is in full support of alternative energy, but their concerns relate to <br /> what it will look like and that they also had a concern about reflection during the winter. The prairie <br /> grasses will not do them any good since their house is above this property. When the Planning <br /> Commission considers these individual situations,they also need to take into the topography of the lot <br /> and the surrounding area. Kris noted they were told the array will be nine to ten feet tall. Kris stated in <br /> spite of all that,they are in support of the proposal. <br /> Ferril pointed out there are some trees along the top of the hill where their roots are being eroded. In <br /> addition,the limbs are dying and dropping off down onto the hill. The hill itself is quite steep and <br /> currently it is kind of a jungle. Prairie Restoration would like to clean that up and carry the debris away <br /> and do erosion control. As far as the landscaping is concerned, even if someone is looking down on it, <br /> there will be enough variety of trees and plants to help shield it. Ferril indicated she has a lot of faith in <br /> Prairie Restoration and that they will certainly work with Kris and her husband to see that it works. <br /> Chair John Thiesse closed the public hearing at 8:16 p.m. <br /> Landgraver stated the variance process allows for some guardrails and the neighbor has had a chance to <br /> review and comment on the proposal. The applicants would be able to put up a shed instead of a rack and <br /> put the panels on the roof and the City would not be discussing this. Landgraver stated in his view this is <br /> an interesting proposal and that there is good faith among the neighbors. Landgraver stated in his opinion <br /> it will set a good precedent and give people an opportunity to see how it looks. <br /> Libby commented he is proud to be part of a community that has some guardrails against certain things, <br /> but that he is also glad to be part of a community that is progressive. The applicant desires to obtain <br /> electricity from the sun and that he tends to be in favor of the applicant being able to do this without an <br /> accessory structure. <br /> Erickson stated he does not have solar at his house,but he was among the first to adopt a significant <br /> amount of prairie grass around his house, and after a few years it has turned into an asset. Erickson stated <br /> he appreciates the effort the applicant is doing in that regard. <br /> Lemke stated he is in agreement with the comments by Commissioner Landgraver and that solar panels <br /> on the house or an accessory structure would be more obtrusive. <br /> Page 16 of 20 <br />