Orange County NC Website
Attachment 5 45 <br /> Orange County <br /> Commission for the Environment <br /> Meeting Summary <br /> August 13, 2012 <br /> Environment and Agricultural Center, Hillsborough <br /> MEMBERS PRESENT: Renee Price (Chair), Michael Hughes (Vice Chair), Lucy Adams, May <br /> Becker, Peter Cada, Michele Drostin, Loren Hintz, Bill Kaiser, David Neal, Tom O'Dwyer, Jan <br /> Sassaman, Gary Saunders, David Welch <br /> MEMBERS ABSENT: None <br /> STAFF PRESENT: Tom Davis GUEST: Michael Harvey (OC Planning & Inspections) <br /> I. Call to Order: Price called the meeting to order at 7:30 pm. <br /> II. Additions or Chanqes to Aqenda — None <br /> I II. Approval of Minutes—Tom O'Dwver motioned to approve the June 11 meetinq <br /> summarv as written; seconded bv Becker. The motion was approved unanimouslv. <br /> IV. UDO Amendments—Solar Arravs — Michael Harvey (Orange Co. Planning & <br /> Inspections) provided an overview of proposed amendments to the County's Unified <br /> Development Ordinance (UDO) to address the development of solar arrays in the <br /> county. The proposed amendments were developed by staff to correct perceived <br /> inconsistencies in the UDO regarding the installation of solar arrays. Further impetus for <br /> modification of the UDO with regard to solar arrays was provided by the proposed <br /> installation of a solar array off White Cross Road. Considerable discussion of the <br /> proposed amendments ensued, including what would constitute acceptable residential <br /> and non-residential solar developments. Discussion of the approval process governing <br /> proposed solar arrays also occurred. <br /> Harvey asked for any CFE comments in advance of August 27 public hearing. He <br /> answered questions from CFE members about the following topics: <br /> • Potential impacts on solar arrays from neighboring properties (i.e., shade) <br /> • The role of aesthetic considerations in the approval process for proposed <br /> solar arrays <br /> • Impervious surface and stormwater considerations at potential solar projects <br /> • The role of the UDO and the Comprehensive Plan in encouraging solar <br /> power generation, and the inclusion of language that does so <br /> ■ The prohibition of solar arrays in front yards, plus other setback and siting <br /> considerations <br /> Harvey requested that the CFE provide input to the CFE regarding the proposed <br /> changes to the UDO concerning solar arrays. Later in the meeting, discussion took <br /> place concerning the development of a memorandum to provide the BOCC prior to their <br /> consideration of the proposed UDO amendments. The CFE members directed Davis to <br /> prepare a draft memorandum concerninq the items listed above and forward it to the <br /> CFE members for approval and submittal to the BOCC before Auqust 17t" <br /> 1 <br />