Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
20 <br /> 1 Commissioner Jacobs said that it seems like the Commission for the Environment is <br /> 2 proposing another step. <br /> 3 <br /> 4 Michael Harvey said that if the regulation does not work, the Board of Adjustment should <br /> 5 not be put in the position to activate the ordinance every time it does not work. The ordinance <br /> 6 needs to be amended to make it work. Staff should also not be allowed to waive the provisions <br /> 7 of the code as it sees fit. Either the code is amended to address the issue or the standard is <br /> 8 kept the way it is. <br /> 9 <br /> 10 Commissioner Jacobs said that he would like to see the reasons against accessory uses <br /> 11 in a front yard and let the Planning Board decide whether it wants to preclude having a solar <br /> 12 array in a front yard. <br /> 13 <br /> 14 Commissioner Jacobs asked clarifying questions, which were answered by Michael <br /> 15 Harvey. <br /> 16 <br /> 17 Commissioner Yuhasz made reference to page 23 and said that he is trying to get a <br /> 18 sense of the size of some of the elements. He asked why these would have to be screened if <br /> 19 air conditioning systems are not screened. He made reference to item `g' on page 23 and said <br /> 20 that he would like to know how"the proposed array will not impact the existing land use" will be <br /> 21 defined. <br /> 22 <br /> 23 Michael Harvey said that there is required landscaping depending on the type of <br /> 24 development and project. There cannot be removal of any required landscaping or condition <br /> 25 consistent of the site based on the land use. <br /> 26 <br /> 27 Commissioner Yuhasz asked that this be clarified in the document. <br /> 28 <br /> 29 Commissioner Yuhasz asked why the area with the solar array is considered impervious <br /> 30 surface. <br /> 31 <br /> 32 Michael Harvey said that this is based on state classification and the County is bound by <br /> 33 this determination. <br /> 34 <br /> 35 Commissioner McKee said that his recommendation is that the County not allow solar <br /> 36 arrays in front yards. <br /> 37 <br /> 38 Commissioner Gordon made reference to item `j' on page 23 and said that if it is unsafe, <br /> 39 it should be fixed, but she will leave it up to staff for a recommendation regarding if it is not in <br /> 40 use for six months. <br /> 41 <br /> 42 Chair Pelissier echoed Commissioner Yuhasz' comments. She said that she would like <br /> 43 to have more flexibility on the front yard option and not have such a stringent viewpoint on the <br /> 44 separation of commercial and residential. She asked about the 10 kilowatt versus the 100 <br /> 45 kilowatt. <br /> 46 <br /> 47 Michael Harvey said that this requirement is based on state and federal tax credits. <br /> 48 <br /> 49 Tony Blake from White Cross said that Duke Power in cooperation with the State Public <br /> 50 Utilities Commission, accepts 20 kilowatts as the standard for a residential customer. He said <br /> 51 that he thinks the 10 kilowatt limit is arbitrary. Regarding the size, technology is changing <br />