HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.F.2. Approval of Minutes: March 02, 2009
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
ADJ. REGULAR SESSION SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA MARCH 2, 2009
Mayor John Schmitt called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. at the Shakopee Public Utilities
offices. Present were Council members Steve Clay, Pat Heitzman, Terry Joos and Matt Lehman
(at 6:55 p.m.). Also present were Mark McNeill, City Administrator; Judith S. Cox, City Clerk;
R. Michael Leek, Community Development Director; and Bruce Loney, City Engineer/Public
Works Director (at 6:45 p.m.).
Shakopee Pub lie Utilities commission members present: Bryan McGowan, Chair; Eric Braun,
Bill Mars, John Engler, and lamie Coffel.
Shakopee Planning Commission members present: Ryan Magin, Chair; Andy Seidensticker,
Mark McQuillan, Mike Baumgartner, and Steve Mangan.
loos/Clay moved to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 4-0.
Mr. David Boyles, Manager, Project Development, Avant Energy Services, presented the group
with the goals of the Minnesota Municipal Power Association's (MMP A) Hometown
WindPower Program. Mr. Boyles said the goal is to produce local clean and sustainable energy.
Mr. Tim Forsch, Avant Energy Services (consultant for Minnesota Municipal Power
Association) discussed the proposed wind turbine to be erected on the Shakopee Public Utilities'
service center site (255 Sarazin Street). It's a Danwin 160 kW wind turbine which is
approximately 80' with blade lengths of 36'.
Mr. Forsch then discussed the site criteria used to select a site. The criteria is a combination of
available wind source, control of property by the city, minimal residential impact, visually
prominent from major road and site aecess for installation and maintenance.
Mr. Forsch also provided visual depictions of what the wind turbine would look like on the
proposed site. Mr. Forsch discussed the generator that would be used and the turbine blades.
Mr. Forsch said the project is being financed through Clean Renewable Energy bonds.
Mr. Boyles and Mr. Forsch responded to questions from the group regarding the proposed wind
turbine.
Mr. Loney entered and took his seat at 6:45 p.m.
Councilor Lehman entered and took his seat at 6:55 p.m.
Mr. Leek presented the group with alternative energy/wind energy zoning issues and
considerations. Mr. Leek said that City staff does not believe an amendment of City Code
Chapter 11, Zoning is required to accommodate solar energy equipment. Mr. Leek said that
solar equipment installations would be required to meet other zoning requirements as well as the
requirements of adopted building codes.
Official Proceedings of the March 2, 2009
Shakopee City Council Page 2
Mr. Leek then discussed geothermal heating which specifically relates to ground source heat
pumps. Because of the nature of these systems and their installation, they are not specifically
addressed in City Code Chapter 11, Zoning, and it does not appear to staff that there is a need to
modify that chapter to accommodate them.
Mr. Leek discussed Wind Energy Conversion Systems (WECS). Mr. Leek explained that wind
energy is allowed only in the agricultural and rural residential zones. This proposal would
require a zoning change to be accommodated on the Shakopee Public Utilities' service center
site. Mr. Leek said that he would be looking for direction from Council regarding how to
proceed with a zoning code text amendment that would allow WECS structures in the Light
Industrial (I-I) Zone.
Mr. Leek said that the City planning staff has received two other inquiries regarding interest in
wind energy conversion systems. One was a building permit application for a 35 foot tower on a
residential lot. The other was an incomplete conditional use permit application for multiple wind
turbines on land south of TH 42 and east of CR 17.
Cncl. Joos asked for more information of the technical aspects of wind energy conversion
systems. He believes that would alleviate a lot of questions that would come up during the
conditional use permit process and public hearings. Cncl. Joos would like to consider the
acreage size as part of the zoning code.
Joos/Lehman moved to direct staff to look at zoning for wind energy conversion systems from an
acreage stand point as something to start with regarding zoning. Discussion followed.
Mayor Schmitt said that the quicker the information is put together by the staff and presented to
the public the quicker the project can be started.
Mayor Schmitt asked for a vote on the motion. Motion carried 5-0.
Shakopee Public Utilities staff was directed to work with MMP A to develop and present
information on wind power technology at an informational open house.
Joos/Heitzman moved to adjourn to Tuesday, March 3,2009 at 7:00 p.m. Motion carried 5-0.
The meeting wasadjourned at 8:12 p.m.
~~x 1. C;c
lty Clerk
Kim Weckman
Recording Secretary