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MINUTES OF THE � <br /> ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING � <br /> Monday,November 25,2013 <br /> 7:00 o'clock p.m. <br /> (5. #13-3616 CITY OF ORONO,ZONING CODE AMENDMENT—ALTERNATIVE ENERGY <br /> SYSTEMS, ORDINANCE NO. (TABLED), Continued) <br /> McMillan noted that Staf�s report states that ground source heat pump systems and roof mounted solar <br /> energy systems are becoming more common in Orono,which leads her to believe that the other systems, <br /> such as ground mounted solar systems,wind turbines and furnaces are not common. McMillan stated she <br /> has a concern with the City writing ordinances for items that are not seeing any use yet in Orono, <br /> especially as it relates to some of the ground mounted solar systems. If someone decides to install a <br /> ground mounted solar system,they could have a pretty extensive array of solar panels that aesthetically <br /> does not look good,is not niral looking,and could potentially have glare. McMillan stated the biggest <br /> concem she has is that the neighbors will have to look at it and that she hesitates about going down the <br /> path of allowing that since that is not popular here in Orono and it is not something that everybody would <br /> like to look at. McMillan noted roof mounted systems can be hidden and are more common,which are <br /> reasons why she would not be opposed to those. <br /> McMillan stated she would only look at ground mounted solar systems on a minimum of five acre lots at <br /> the very least and then in addition require larger setbacks. McMillan stated the City needs to question <br /> whether they want to have systems that have a more urban, industrial look, since they will impact the <br /> neighbors. McMillan commented these systems benefit the property owner at the expense of their <br /> neighbors. <br /> McMillan indicated she is not yet in favor of wind turbines and that the City should perhaps look at <br /> creating an ordinance once they become more popular. McMillan indicated she would prefer to go down <br /> the path of writing the least amount of ordinances, and then if something becomes more common,then <br /> the City can create an ordinance to handle it. <br /> Mattick asked if the direction would be to bring back an ordinance that does not allow ground mounted <br /> solar,wind energy,and hydronic fumaces. Mattick asked whether the City Council is okay with <br /> geothermal. <br /> Levang and McMillan indicated geothermal would be okay. <br /> Anderson stated the ordinance could also contain a five acre minimum. <br /> Levang stated geothermal can only be allowed if they have enough land in the first place due to the <br /> requirements of the system. <br /> Mattick indicated he is not familiar enough with geothermal systems to know if they require a certain <br /> amount of acreage to work. <br /> Gaffron stated there is no requirement in any of the other cities' code provisions that talk about a minimal <br /> lot size for ground source heat pumps. <br /> McMillan stated the systems cannot be in the setbacks. <br /> Mattick stated he can bring back a revised ordinance before the City Council at their first meeting in <br /> December. <br /> Page 16 of 29 <br />