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Date Application Received: December 11, 2020 <br />Date Application Considered as Complete: December 15, 2020 <br />60-Day Review Period Expires: February 13, 2021 <br />To: Chair Ressler and Planning Commission Members <br />Ron Olson, Interim City Administrator <br />From: Jeremy Barnhart, AICP <br />Community Development Director <br />Date: January 19, 2021 <br />Subject: #LA20-000073, All Energy Solar o/b/o Brian O’Connell, 3145 North Shore Drive, <br />Variance <br />Public Hearing <br />Background <br />The applicant is working on behalf of the owner who recently purchased the parcel. They <br />propose a roof mounted solar array that covers 75.3% of the roof to which it is affixed, the <br />maximum is 70%. The difference between conforming roof coverage and the proposal is two <br />panels. <br />This is the fourth variance related to Solar Arrays since 2017. Most recently, in December 2020 <br />the City Council reviewed and approved a variance to allow 83% roof coverage on an accessory <br />structure (LA20-69). <br />Practical Difficulties Analysis <br />Applicant Submittal Information: The applicant suggests that the roof design, its orientation, and <br />the presence of trees in the lake yard provide inadequate access to sunlight is a practical <br />difficulty. Additionally, they have provided supporting documentation regarding Practical <br />Difficulties attached as Exhibit B, and should be asked for additional testimony regarding the <br />application. The applicants also note that ground mounted solar arrays are not permitted in <br />Orono. <br />Planning Staff Practical Difficulty Analysis: To correct inadequate access to solar for this site, the <br />remedy is removal of the trees, which is undesirable for the city, or redesign of the roof <br />structure. Staff concurs that the design of the roof, the location of existing trees creates a <br />practical difficulty. While the array may be visible from certain points off the property, this visual <br />impact for the additional coverage is not deemed to be a substantial negative. <br />Application Summary: The applicant is requesting a variance to allow solar arrays to cover 75.3 <br />percent of the roof plane, where a maximum is 70%. <br />Staff Recommendation: Planning Department Staff recommends approval <br />Exhibit C