01/20/2015 Planning Commission Minutes

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING Tuesday,January 20,2015 6:30 o'clock p.m. ROLL CALL The Orono Planning Commission met on the above-mentioned date with the following members present: Chair Denise Leskinen, Commissioners Kevin Landgraver, Bruce Lemke, Christopher McGrann, Loren Schoenzeit, and John Thiesse. Representing Staff were Senior Planner Michael Gaffron, City Planner Melanie Curtis, and Recorder Jackie Young. Mayor Lili McMillan was present. Chair Leskinen called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m., followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. CONSENT AGENDA 1. APPROVAL OF PLANNING COMMISSION MEETING MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 17,2014 Lemke moved,Schoenzeit seconded,to approve the minutes of the Orono Planning Commission meeting of November 17,2014,as amended,with the time of the meeting in the header being corrected to read 6:30 p.m. VOTE: Ayes 6,Nays 0. NEW BUSINESS 2. #14-3700 AMENDMENT OF ZONING CODE CHAPTER 78: AMEND SECTION 78-1379 REGARDING WIND ENERGY CONVERSION SYSTEMS(WECS),6:33 P.M.— 7:54 P.M. Gaffron stated this is an amendment to Chapter 78 regarding small wind energy conversion systems. The City Council adopted an ordinance approximately one year ago that banned the use of small wind energy conversion systems throughout the city. As a result of some court action,the City Council determined that it was appropriate to reconsider and take a look at where and how the City might allow wind energy conversion systems in the City. Gaffron noted at its November 16 meeting, the Planning Commission held a public hearing to receive public input regarding small wind energy conversion systems or SWECS. The minutes of that meeting have been included in the Planning Commission's packets. At that meeting a presentation was made by Orono resident Peter Lanpher, who provided some visual aids that depicted the visual impacts of the SWECS on his enjoyment of his property. At that meeting the Planning Commission tabled the discussion for further discussion. Gaffron stated there are a number of decisions that need to be made tonight in order to craft an ordinance that meets the City's desired outcome. Part of what the Planning Commission will be doing tonight will be answering questions that will help Staff define what those outcomes should be. Staff has also included a table that compares the ordinance that the Planning Commission had recommended in 2013 to a number of other city ordinances that exist from Woodbury, Brooklyn Park, Lakeville,North St. Paul,Medina, Delano, and other cities. It also compares those to some model ordinances,one of which was put out by the City of Des Moines, Iowa. Gaffron stated based on those ordinances,there appears to be a wide range of standards throughout the state. The Planning Commission should consider a definition for ornamental wind turbines, whether the Planning Commission would consider the use of WECS systems in a commercial or nonresidential area of Page 1 of 21