05-13-13 PC Minutes Regular Meeting of the
Golden Valley Planning Commission
May 13, 2013
A regular meeting of the Planning Commission was held at the Golden Valley City Hall,
Council Chambers, 7800 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota, on Monday,
May 13, 2013. Chair Waldhauser called the meeting to order at 7 pm.
Those present were Planning Commissioners Baker, Cera, Kluchka, McCarty,
Segelbaum and Waldhauser. Also present were Community Development Director Mark
Grimes, City Planner Joe Hogeboom, Planning Intern Brett Angell and Administrative
Assistant Lisa Wittman. Commissioner Boudreau-Landis was absent.
1. Approval of Minutes
March 11, 2013 Regular Planning Commission Meeting
MOVED by McCarty, seconded by Cera and motion carried unanimously to approve the
March 11, 2013 minutes as submitted.
2. Informal Public Hearing --Zoning Code Text Amendment—Adding Section
11.75 "Solar Energy Systems" —ZO00-91
Applicant: City of Golden Valley
Purpose: To consider the addition of Section 11.75 "Solar Energy Systems" to
the Zoning Ghapter of the City Code
Angell gave a presentation to the Commission regarding the addition of solar energy
systems requirements to the zoning chapter of the City Code. He discussed types of solar
energy systems including building integrated systems, ground mounted systems and roof
mounted systems. He also discussed Minnesota's solar potential and noted that the City's
goal is to encourage the use of solar energy in order to reach Minnesota's goal of using
25% renewable energy by the year of 2025.
Angell referred to the proposed ordinance and discussed some of the requirements for
roof mounted systems including height restrictions, reducing visual impact by means of
location, and screening or integrating in with the roof's design. He added that ground
mounted systems would be treated as an accessory structure in regard to height, lot area
coverage and permitted locations and that building integrated systems would be treated
as part of a building.
Baker asked about the number of solar energy systems currently located in Golden
Valley. Angell said he knows of a few businesses and residential properties that have
systems. He added that staff did hear some concerns from residents and that he will
review them with the consultant from the "Minnesota Solar Challenge."
McCarty asked about the technology to store wind and solar energy. Angell said his
understanding is that energy collected can be stored or sold back to energy companies.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
May 13, 2013
Page 2
Cera added that work is being done to use stored energy for electric vehicles.
Waldhauser suggested having discussions with other communities regarding communal
energy generation that homeowners could buy into.
Kluchka questioned if there should be language added to the proposed ordinance to
ensure that it protects trees on neighboring properties from being cut down in order to
gain more solar access. Angell explained that in the ordinances he researched language
abaut trees was added when cities wanted to allow trees to be cut down in order to allow
for solar access. Grimes noted that trees also have value in keeping energy costs down.
Waldhauser asked about the effect of new plantings. Hogeboom stated that solar access
easements could be put in place between property owners however the City does not get
involved in enforcing private easement agreements. Cera suggested adding language
regarding the preservation of existing trees. Segelbaum asked if other cities have
provisions regarding the preservation of trees. Angell stated that St. Paul has a model
ordinance and it does not mention trees. Waldhauser stated that she thinks there could
be education done about existing trees and that the ordinance doesn't necessarily need
to address it.
Waldhauser asked if there will be a permitting process. Grimes stated that building and
electrical permits will be required.
Cera asked if the City has considered offering subsidies to homeowners who install solar
energy systems. Grimes stated that there are tax credits available and that solar panels
are becoming more affordable. Baker added that energy companies also give credits.
Segelbaum referred to the definition of Building Integrated Solar System and stated that
the words "solar energy system" should capitalized. He also noted that Subdivision
3(A)(1) should be changed from "Building Mounted Solar Energy Systems to "Flush
Mounted Solar Systems."
Segelbaum referred to Subdivision 3(A)(2) and asked what the "exterior perimeter" of the
roof ineans. Angell explained that the language was modeled after St. Paul's ordinance
and that he would talk to the consultant he's been working with to better define that
paragraph.
McCarty suggested that "Ground Mounted Solar System" be added to the list of
definitions. He referred to the definition of Solar Energy System and suggested the word
"significantly" be removed.
Baker referred to Subdivision 3(A)(3) regarding the visual impact of rooftop equipment
and questioned the use of the word "shall" in the first sentence. The Commission
consensus was to keep the word "shall" in that sentence however they agreed that the
word "reduced" should be changed to "minimized."
Kluchka suggested that Subdivision 4(A) regarding compatibility be removed because
following all of the requirements of the accessory structures language is too restrictive.
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May 13, 2013
Page 3
The Commission agreed and suggested language regarding height and setbacks would
be clearer.
Segelbaum referred to the second sentence in Subdivision 3(C) and said the words
"building integrated systems" should be changed to "Building Integrated Solar Systems."
Waldhauser referred to the language regarding interFerence and asked if solar energy
systems really cause interference. Cera stated that these systems won't generate
interference.
Baker referred to Subdivision 4(E) regarding maximum capacity and asked how 100
kilowatts was decided. Angell stated that he would have further discussion with the
consultant he's been working with about that language.
Waldhauser opened the public hearing.
Andy Snope, 1320 Unity, said he's worked in the electrical industry for 20 years. He
handed out some suggested changes to the language in the ordinance which included
requiring that an electrical permit be obtained, requiring a licensed contractor to install
solar systems and not limiting the output on commercial properties to 100 Kilowatts. He
also handed out several articles regarding solar energy for the Planning Commission to
review. Hogeboom stated that Mr. Snope's comments have been forwarded to the
consultant for the Minnesota Solar Challenge.
Seeing and hearing no one else wishing to comment, Waldhauser closed the public
hearing.
MOVED by Cera, seconded by McCarty and motion carried unanimously to table this item
in order to give staff time to revise the proposed ordinance.
--Short Recess--
3. Reports on Meetings of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority, City
Council, Board of Zoning Appeals and other Meetings
The Commission discussed the recent Metropolitan Council resolution supporting the
Bottineau Transitway. Hogeboom stated that staff is going to suggest to the City Council
that a steering committee be formed to work on station area planning beginning this
summer.
4. Other Business
• Discussion - Proposed new "Performance Zoning District"
Angell gave a presentation to the Commission regarding performance zoning. He
explained that the purpose for having a PerFormance zoning district is to allow
development fiexibility, regulate design, rather than land use type and to attract a diversity
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May 13, 2013
Page 4
of businesses and building types. Hogeboom added that this zoning district is being
considered for the former moratorium area at the northeast corner of Olson Memorial
Highway and Douglas Drive.
Angell reviewed some of the proposed conditional uses, the prohibited uses and
conditions for uses in this zoning district. He also discussed proposed setbacks, height,
impervious surface and landscaping requirements. Hogeboom added that a Performance
zoning district is similar to a Mixed Use zoning district but would allow more flexibility and
control.
Cera referred to the maximum impervious surface allowance of 80% and suggested that
could be lower with "green bonuses."
Segelbaum stated that they should also be thinking about other areas of the City where
this zoning district might be used. Grimes noted that this is a difficult area and it will be
hard to fit a use in that location within one PUD, so he would like to consider expanding
the City's options by reviewing performance zoning districts.
McCarty said he would rather see the area zoned Mixed Use. Grimes suggested
considering Mixed Use zoning with no manufacturing, or on a limited scale.
Kluchka asked staff to work on answers to what "performance" means, what the City is
asking for and what can be measured. He added that he is looking for opportunities to go
above and beyond and this proposed new PerFormance zoning district sounds defeatist to
him. He said he thinks they can come up with a vision and not just and easier way to get
rid of an eyesore property.
Cera suggested that a comparison be done between the proposed Performance zoning
district language and the Mixed Use zoning district language. Grimes stated that staff will
study the Performance zoning district language in more detail and bring the Planning
Commission a side-by-side comparison of the two at a future meeting.
• Election of Officers
McCarty nominated Kluchka for Chair. Cera nominated Waldhauser for Chair. Baker
McCarty and Segelbaum voted to appoint Kluchka as Chair.
McCarty nominated Cera as Vice Chair. Cera accepted and the vote was unanimous to
appoint Cera as Vice Chair.
Segelbaum nominated Waldhauser as secretary. Waldhauser declined.
Cera nominated Segelbaum as Secretary. Segelbaum accepted and the vote was
unanimous to appoint Segelbaum as Secretary.
Minutes of the Golden Valley Planning Commission
May 13, 2013
Page 5
5. Adjournment
The meeting adjourned at 8:53 pm.
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David A. Cera, Secretary