Minutes 08-27-2012 - Laserfiche WebLink

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rapidly, so smaller panels are able to generate more electricity. He thinks that the ordinance should be looser and able to evolve with the technology. Pete Hallenbeck said that he has a 7500 watt solar panel array for use at his house. He said that a 10 kilowatt array is approximately a 50-foot long by 12-foot wide footprint. It would stand approximately 9-10 feet tall. The 15 feet came from the fact that you may wish to raise the panels up to maintain the ground underneath. The 10 kilowatt limit comes from the fact that with Piedmont Electric, they will only give net metering if you are 10 kilowatts or less. He suggested that instead of having a kilowatt specification, then it could be the limit from the power company where there will be net metering. With regard to item `j' on page 23, he would suggest that it could be cleaned up to say that if it is not working for six months, it has to be dealt with, and if it is unsafe, it should be dealt with faster than six months. Larry Wright said that the front yard restriction does not conform to each situation. He suggested looking at this because there is a lot of property in Orange County that is rural. A motion was made by Commissioner Jacobs, seconded by Commissioner Hemminger to receive the proposed amendments as detailed in this abstract and attachments; refer the matter to the Planning Board with a request that a recommendation be returned to the BOCC in time for the November 8, 2012 BOCC regular meeting; and adjourn the public hearing until November 8, 2012 in order to receive and accept the Planning Board's recommendation and any submitted written comments; with the additional stipulation that the Board of County Commissioners receive information on the rationale behind restricting accessory uses in the front yard, and that this be part of the discussion when a recommendation comes back from the Planning Board. VOTE: UNANIMOUS Commissioner Yuhasz suggested that the front yard issue be addressed particularly with regards to the size of the lot. CLOSED SESSION A motion was made by Commissioner Hemminger, seconded by Commissioner Yuhasz to go into closed session at 10:03 p.m.: 1. Per N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(3): To Consult with the Attorney to protect the attorney-client privilege. 2. Per [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(5)] To establish or instruct the staff or agent concerning the negotiation of the price and terms of a contract concerning the acquisition of real property 3. Per [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(4)]: To discuss matters relating to the location or expansion of business in the area served by this body. 4. Per [N.C.G.S. 143-318.11(a)(6)] : To consider the qualifications, competence, performance, condition of appointment of a public officer or employee or prospective public officer or employee. VOTE: UNANIMOUS RECONVENE INTO REGULAR SESSION