03-09-2015 Council Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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NIINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COA�VIISSION MEETING Monday,November 17,2014 7:00 o'clock p.m. , systems anywhere within the City. Ultimately the District Court granted summary judgment in favor of O the plaintiffs and enjoined the City from enforcin Section 78-1379 be innin on N � g (fl g g ovember 24,2014. �'� � At its October 27 regular meeting,the City Council adopted an interim ordinance enacting an immediate one-year moratorium on small wind energy conversion systems or SWECS. The basis for the moratorium is that there are substantial concerns that without the ability to enforce City Code Section 78-1379(fl,the current zoning ordinance provisions do not adequately address issues relating to SWECS, such as the appropriate locations and conditions under which they may be allowed within the City. T'he moratorium requires a study be done and this is the beginning process of that study. Staff has been directed to immediately begin the process even though the moratorium can last up to a year. Gaffron stated the intent of the study is to refine the existing definitions related to WECS and SWECS;establish standards and procedures by which the location,design,installation and operation of SWECS shall be regulated within the City; and determine whether SWECS should be allowed in commerciaUindustrial districts as well as residential districts. Elements of the study process will include the following: A review of the various types of SWECS and their capabilities and limitations,as well as potential impacts to surrounding properties and uses;a review of various model ordinances and existing ordinances enacted by other local municipalities with regard to SWECS;and consideration of where and under what conditions SWECS should be allowed in Orono. Gaffron stated the 2013 draft also included the following list of potential measures to mitigate the impacts various alternative energy systems could have on neighborhoods: 1. Establishment of the defined types of systems that are allowed or prohibited; 2. Establishment of appropriate locations for each type of alternative energy system to ensure proper location of the systems. T'hose would include the minimum size of the property required and minimum setbacks from property boundaries and/or from offsite residences; 3. Establishment of standard procedures for construction process to minimize impacts of access, materials storage,erosion or other land disturbances,etc.; Page 2 of 35