Agenda - 05-08-2014 - 5a - Laserfiche WebLink

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33 and they are concerned about the noise. It's just that hum. Their property backs into where the proposed farm is going to be. So, can you just talk a little bit about — I mean I understood what he said, that you can only hear it if you are close to it. But, if your property actually backs into where the proposed farm is going to be, if you are sitting on your deck and reading the newspaper, are you going to hear that hum? Gabriel Cantor: We typically locate - the inverter has a fan for cooling purposes. That's the piece of equipment that converts the DC electricity that's generated by the panels in the fields to AC, which is the same type of electricity that flows through the wires in your house. That piece of equipment has a fan for cooling purposes and a transformer associated, so there is a small hum. Those are typically located in the middle of the field. In this case, the closest one to a property line is about 300 feet. You would not be able to hear that until you approach within about 50 feet has been my experience. So, you have to be inside of the property line to hear it. Commissioner Price: I have a question about the vegetation maintenance. You say you are going to plant grass. I don't know how you're going to mow it underneath all those panels, but I'll let you worry about that; but what about other vegetation? I mean, is there going to be weeding, or you mentioned fertilizer? Will there also be any other pesticides, and how much, because I am concerned about that runoff? Brent Niemann: We actually have specialized mowing equipment that can make a pass underneath the panels. It's actually pretty interesting. It works pretty well. We wouldn't use any more treatment to the grass than any other residential home would to establish a yard. So, to the extent necessary to maintain weeds — we would not be applying any pesticides above and beyond what you would apply to your house to grow grass. We treat it just like a lawn. It will be just like a lawn. Commissioner Price: So, would you be able — I mean I'm asking you this now; but for future, would you be able to provide a list of what chemicals you would be using, and how much. I mean personally I don't use any on my lawn, so I can't gauge. Brent Niemann: Ok, so I personally have someone treat my lawn at home. Commissioner Price: I mean if you can't give an answer now - Brent Niemann: I don't know the specifics. Commissioner Price: Well could you provide that for us, or to staff? Brent Niemann: Sure, yes, we can do that, absolutely. Commissioner McKee: It was mentioned earlier in the presentation, about the runoff basically, as I understood it, staying on the property. Will there be — Are you talking about building sediment basins and control ponds to keep that on the site, or how are you going about that? I am hearing some concern over that. Brent Niemann: Sure, as any development project, especially with the amount of clearing and growing associated with this project — I believe your question earlier — I forgot to address that. It's about 44 acres, is about the project disturbance acreage. Yes, we will be providing sedimentation and erosion control features; more than likely a sediment basin or two, depending on topography and location relative to the project. Post construction, at the White Cross Solar