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Article 5: Uses 23 <br /> Section 5.9:Standards for Utilities <br /> (g) As part of the site plan submittal, the applicant shall be reauired to <br /> submit documentation detailinq that the proposed array will not impact <br /> the existing land use or alter any condition imposed as part of a previous <br /> approval. <br /> (h) All mechanical equipment associated with, and necessary for, the <br /> operation of the array shall comply with the following: <br /> (i) Mechanical equipment shall be screened from any adjacent <br /> property. <br /> (ii) This screen area shall be composed of: <br /> a. A landscaped area a minimum of five feet in width <br /> composed of shrubbery, trees, or other non-invasive <br /> plant species achieving a minimum height of five feet at <br /> maturity, and installed in accordance with Section 6.8. ; <br /> or <br /> b. A five foot tall privacy fence. <br /> NO Mechanical equipment shall not be located within the required <br /> setback areas for the underlying zoning district as detailed within <br /> Article 3 or within required landscaped areas as required under <br /> Section 6.8. <br /> (i) Before commencement of earth disturbing activities, the property owner <br /> must acknowledge that he/she is the responsible party for owning and <br /> ensuring the perpetual maintenance of the solar array. <br /> In cases where a solar array has not been in operation for a period of six <br /> months, is defective, or is deemed to be unsafe the owner shall be <br /> required to either repair or remove the system at their expense. <br /> (2) Standards for Building Mounted Devices: <br /> (a) An array may be mounted on the roof of a principal or an accessory <br /> structure located on the property. <br /> (b) The array shall be viewed as an extension of the roof structure and, as a <br /> result, shall not exceed the maximum buildinq height detailed within <br /> Article 3 for the underlying zoninq district where the property is located. <br /> (C) As part of the building permit review process, structural engineering shall <br /> be provided demonstrating the roof can support the weight of the <br /> proposed array. <br /> (3) Standards for Ground Mounted Devices: <br /> (a) Ground mounted system shall not exceed a maximum height of 15 feet <br /> from finished grade. <br /> (b) The surface area of a ground mounted system, regardless of the <br /> mounted angle, shall be calculated as part of the overall impervious <br /> surface area for the parcel in accordance with the provisions of Section <br /> 4.2. <br /> (c) Arrays shall only be permitted within the side and rear portions of a <br /> Property. <br /> 19 There is some concern among Planning Board and Commissioner for the Environment members that a 15 foot <br /> height limit is too small,specifically this would limit the angle of the array to a point where it might not be able to <br /> function properly. Staff believes the proposed height limit is sufficient and would allow for the erection of an array <br /> that would be able to function properly. <br /> Orange County,North Carolina—Unified Development Ordinance Page 5-78 <br />