HomeMy WebLinkAbout13.F.2. Wind Generator Discussion
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CITY OF SHAKOPEE
Memorandum
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Mark McNeill, City Administrator
SUB1ECT: Wind Generator Discussion
DATE: February 3,2009
Comment:
Introduction:
The City Council is asked to give direction as to when it wishes to discuss changes in the
zoning code which would allow for wind turbines in Shakopee.
Background:
The Minnesota Municipal Power Association (MMP A) desires to construct a mid-size
wind turbine generator which would be located on the SPUC headquarters property.
City staff also recently received a building permit application from a local resident who
wanted to locate a small wind generator in his residential neighborhood. Because wind
generators are not permitted in that zone, the residential application was rejected.
At the January 20th City Council meeting, Councilor Joos asked for a joint workshop
between the Planning Commission, SPU Commission, and City Council to discuss the
accommodation of wind generators in Shakopee. A discussion for necessary zoning
code text changes for an 1-1 zone generator is scheduled for the Planning Commission
agenda on March 5th. Therefore, a joint meeting discussion before that date would be
timely.
The regular City Council meeting of February 17th is anticipated to have a couple of
major discussion items on the agenda, so adding a joint meeting that evening is not
realistic. The Council also has scheduled workshops for February 10th and February 24th:
February 10th - This is the meeting with Springsted, Inc., to discuss budget
prioritization for next year. As it currently stands, Council will not be voting on
any budgetary priorities at that meeting-we need some general direction from
Council before that can take place. There will be a presentation, however, by
David MacGillivary, Chairman of the Board of Springsted, on the current
financial situation facing the country, and local governments like Shakopee. This
is an important topic, and my preference would be to keep the entire evening
focused on this subject.
February 24th - This is the meeting for the discussion of the 1 st A venue corridor
and CR101 bridge. We anticipate that this workshop will also need the entire
meeting devoted to this subject.
Recommendation:
My recommendation is that a separate meeting night be establish prior to the March 5th
Planning Commission date. Lou Van Hout ofSPUC is checking with the SPU
Commission to see ifthe workshop might be able to be scheduled in conjunction with
their March 2nd. It could start anytime after 6 PM. It would be at the SPUC building to
accommodate their schedule. They do not have live cablecasting capabilities, but the
meeting will be recorded for broadcast later.
I will have more information at the February 3rd City Council meeting.
Relationship to Visioning:
This supports Goal F, "Housekeeping".
Action Required:
The Council should establish a meeting night in which to hold a joint workshop with
Planning and SPUC Commissioners on wind generators.
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Mark McNeill
City Administrator