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Existing development standards do not necessarily complement the development of <br />solar arraysfrom a landscape/buffer, setback, stormwater, impervious surface limit, <br />orheight limitation standpoint. <br />There is also no administrative procedure within the UDOthat would provide staff <br />sufficient flexibility in addressing these issues without a comprehensive amendment <br />package, except the potential of using the Conditional Use process that would create <br />site specific regulations for a given property mutually agreed to by the applicant and <br />the elected officials. <br />Staff has inquired with several of our surrounding planning partners (i.e. Town of <br />Chapel Hill, Carrboro, Hillsborough, Durham County, Chatham County) about the <br />existence of regulations governing the development of solar arrays. In all cases staff <br />was informed that this is an issue that has been identified as needing discussion but <br />no formal steps had been taken to establish regulations or approval processes. <br />The amendments arenecessary to address the development of solar arrayswithin <br />the county and to address existing redundancy within the UDO concerning the <br />development of utilities as a whole. <br />3.Comprehensive Plan Linkage (i.e. Principles, Goals and Objectives) <br />Land Use Overarching Goal: <br />Coordination of the amount, location, pattern and <br />designation of future land uses, with availability of County services and facilities <br />sufficient to meet the needs of Orange County’s population and economy consistent <br />with other Comprehensive Plan element goals and objectives. <br />Natural and Cultural Systems Goal 1: Energy conservation, sustainable <br />use of non-polluting renewable energy resources, efficient use of non- <br />renewable energy resources and clean air. <br />Objective AE-15: Foster participation in green energy programs such <br />as installation incentives for solar hot water/solar generation/solar <br />tempering in residential or commercial construction. The County should <br />develop programs that will link citizens and businesses with options for <br />alternative and sustainable energy sources. <br />Objective AG-8: Encourage the use and production of natural fuel <br />alternatives to petroleum based products and pursue new types of <br />energy sources. <br />4.New Statutes and Rules <br />N/A <br />3 <br /> <br />