Planning Commission Resolution 2015-003CITY OF MONTICELLO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. PC- 2015 -003
ADOPTING AMENDMENTS TO THE MONTICELLO ZONING ORDINANCE,
CHAPTER 5, SECTIONS 1— USE TABLE, SECTION 2 — USE - SPECIFIC
STANDARDS AND SECTION 3 — ACCESSORY USE STANDARDS AND CHAPTER
8, SECTION 4 — DEFINITIONS AS RELATED TO REGULATIONS
FOR SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS
WHEREAS, the City of Monticello has been presented with an interest in the development
of Solar Energy Systems as stand -alone uses of property; and
WHEREAS, interest in such development has occurred both within City boundaries and
within the Monticello Orderly Annexation Area (MOAA); and
WHEREAS, the City, and the surrounding MOAA, has been planned for urban development,
including the generation of employment, housing, and other urban uses; and
WHEREAS, urban development both generates costs for services, as well as taxes and fees
that are designed to pay for said services; and
WHEREAS, the long -term planning for the City and the MOAA has been undertaken to
ensure that the City's growth can be accomplished in a fiscally sound manner; and
WHEREAS, the City conducts said planning pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 462,
which identifies economic development and fiscal planning as important goals of managing
land use and growth; and
WHEREAS, the City finds that large areas of land which may not generate urban
development or impacts is inconsistent with the long -term land use and infrastructure
planning of the City; and
WHEREAS, Solar Energy Systems, as a stand -alone use of property does not constitute an
urban use nor generate urban impacts; and
WHEREAS, Solar Energy Systems developed as sole uses of property interfere with the
City's planning for urban development; and
WHEREAS, Solar Energy Systems are beneficial in meeting the State's energy needs; and
WHEREAS, Solar Energy Systems can compatibly co -exist with other urban development
when constructed as accessory structures; and
CITY OF MONTICELLO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. PC- 2015 -003
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on January 13'', 2015, February
3rd, 2015, March 3rd, 2015, June 2nd, 2015 and July 7d', 2015 on the application and members
of the public were provided the opportunity to present information to the Planning
Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission has considered all of the comments and the staff
report, which are incorporated by reference into the resolution; and
WHEREAS, the Planning Commission of the City of Monticello makes the following
Findings of Fact in relation to the recommendation of approval:
Solar Energy Systems are best developed in the urban area of Monticello, or in the
future urban area of the MOAA, as accessory structures to other principal uses of
property.
2. Solar Energy Systems, as stand -alone land uses, are more typical of rural uses in that
they generate low rates of property tax, and little or no trunk infrastructure fees,
traffic, housing, or employment.
3. Solar Energy Systems are designed to stand as long -term uses of land — typically 25
years or more.
4. Such uses are inconsistent with the City's planning for urban growth, and threaten the
financial feasibility of long -term infrastructure investments.
5. Such uses, if located in urban areas, result in the spreading of infrastructure costs over
other land uses and property owners.
6. Such uses, if located in urban areas, have the effect of increasing sprawl, spreading
development over a larger geographic region.
NOW, THEREFORE, RE IT RESOLVED, by the Planning Commission of the City of
Monticello, Minnesota, that the Planning Commission recommends that the City Council
adopts Ordinance No. 613:
ADOPTED this 7th day of July, 2015, by the Planning Commission of the City of
Monticello, Minnesota.
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CITY OF MONTICELLO
WRIGHT COUNTY, MINNNESOTA
PLANNING COMMISSION
RESOLUTION NO. PC- 2015 -003
MONTICELLO PLANNING COMMISSION