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MINUTES OF THE <br /> ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING <br /> Monday,June 19,2017 <br /> 6:30 o'clock p.m. <br /> Staff has conducted a preliminary review of the project for compatibility with the septic system and has <br /> determined that the project is not likely to impact the existing or future septic sites. <br /> Based on Staffs review,the proposed location of the solar panels is within a heavily screened area of the <br /> yard and maintains setbacks from adjacent property lines. In addition,the solar panels will be screened <br /> from Stubbs Bay Road. <br /> Barnhart noted the notification area is 350 feet,with the nearest home being located 375 feet away. <br /> Typically solar panels are mounted to the south to obtain the maximum amount of sunlight. The roof in <br /> this case does not face the south. The array of solar panels would be 11 feet high at the back edge and 45 <br /> feet across. Barnhart noted there are some wetlands in the area but that the solar panels will not impact <br /> that area and the project will not require a wetland delineation. The array of solar panels would be <br /> located behind the front of the house and more than 50 feet from the right-of-way of Stubbs Bay Road. <br /> Barnhart displayed a picture of the property from Stubbs Bay Road and noted the area is very well <br /> screened. <br /> Staff is supportive of the request. <br /> Thiesse asked what the City's intent was to only allow roof mounted solar panels. <br /> Barnhart stated to his understanding the City Council wanted to limit hardcover. The goal of the City is <br /> to have solar panels integrated into the design of the property since retrofitting them on a house is not that <br /> easy. <br /> Landgraver asked whether the screening consists entirely of deciduous trees. <br /> Barnhart stated a big part of it was deciduous trees. Barnhart stated the screening from the foliage will <br /> likely go away during the winter but some screening will still remain with the tree trunks. Barnhart noted <br /> the City does not require screening that prevents someone from seeing something year-round but they <br /> attempt to mitigate it as much as practical. <br /> Lemke asked if it would make sense to take another look at the City's regulations to allow ground based <br /> solar panels. <br /> Barnhart stated that can be added to the list of ordinances to be reviewed. <br /> Larry Baran,Applicant, stated if the system is placed on the house,he would only be able to have a 3 <br /> kilowatt system, which would not be cost effective. The ground mounted system would be 8 kilowatts <br /> and cover his electrical use for the most part. <br /> Baran stated in 1986, his father placed solar panels on his building in Chicago for hot water. Baran stated <br /> the system worked fine but then the roof needed to be replaced and the panels had to be removed at a cost <br /> of$2,500. <br /> Kristin Sakwitz, All Energy Solar, stated part of the City's Comprehensive Land Use Plan states that the <br /> City wants its residents and property owners to use their private land and resources to promote alternative <br /> sources of energy, which this falls in line with. <br /> Page 6 of 17 <br />