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We have submitted this to the State Clearing House, as we are obligated to do by our ordinance
<br /> for environmental review. We have gotten no negative comments back from the State
<br /> concerning this project. It goes without saying that, if approved, this project will have to go
<br /> through all local permitting, including: storm water, erosion control, zoning, building and what
<br /> not. There will be issues identified and addressed at those permitting stages to address various
<br /> independent issues. One concern that has been brought to our attention, and I would like to
<br /> address to the Board now and have Strata Solar expand on this answer if they feel necessary.
<br /> One concern expressed that this will create additional runoff problems in this portion of the
<br /> property and even here for the manufacturing use. What I would like to remind the Board is, per
<br /> our ordinance and consistent with State law, Strata Solar is obligated to basically insure and
<br /> maintain existing runoff that is predevelopment, post development; meaning once all the trees
<br /> are removed; the solar panels are erected, all the storm water generated from the site has to be
<br /> maintained and kept on the site consistent with how the property existed before it was touched.
<br /> The property, based on the contour data on your site plan, actually slopes in this general
<br /> direction. So, as development occurs, existing storm water patterns will be maintained, and
<br /> Strata Solar has informed staff you should not see any negative impacts on adjacent property.
<br /> Having said that, I will just remind the Board one last time, once they go through the storm water
<br /> process they are going to have to guarantee to the satisfaction of County staff and according to
<br /> our local regulations: 1. There will be no off site impacts; and 2. They are going to be
<br /> maintaining the storm water flow as currently exists on the property.
<br /> With that, Mr. Chairman and members of the Board, what I would like to do is turn this over to
<br /> Strata Solar and let them present their application. I will get into staff's recommendation at the
<br /> appropriate time, and if you have any initial questions for me, I will be more than happy to
<br /> answer them.
<br /> Buddy Hartley: Any questions or comments from the Board? Any questions or comments from
<br /> the planning board?
<br /> Commissioner Price: On the storm water runoff, how much land disturbance will there be?
<br /> Michael Harvey: I'm going to let Strata Solar answer that question, but what I will tell you quite
<br /> candidly is that there will be sufficient disturbance on this site to require a storm water permit.
<br /> Buddy Hartley: Would the applicant want to make the presentation to the Board?
<br /> Dave Neill: Thank you Chairmen, members of the Commission, members of the Planning
<br /> Board. My name is Dave Neill. I am an attorney with the law firm of Smith, Moore,
<br /> Leatherwood, 434 Fayetteville Street, Suite 2800, Raleigh, NC, and I have the pleasure of
<br /> appearing before you today on behalf of Strata Solar and the Stout Family Farm, under which
<br /> we have negotiated a long term ground lease for the—for the site that's been referenced by Mr.
<br /> Harvey.
<br /> This evening, we lawyers don't get to put on —we don't get to provide the evidence, but we do
<br /> get to play ringleader or ringmaster and provide those who can provide that evidence that you
<br /> need to render your decision. Let me give you a preview of the four witnesses that we would
<br /> bring for your information this evening. First, Louis Iannone, and I'll ask— sneaking up behind
<br /> me — Louis, immediately at my six o'clock— Project Director and site acquisition for Strata Solar,
<br /> who will speak about Strata Solar, its background, and its overall plans for this site, to the extent
<br /> that information has not been already provided by staff. Behind him in second will be Brent
<br /> Niemann, Public Engineer, with a focus in civil engineering, who is also employed by Strata and
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