Agenda - 05-27-2014 - C1 - Laserfiche WebLink

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:MI M ORANGE COUNTY Department of Environment, Agriculture, Parks & Recreation MEMORANDUM To- Michael Harvey, Current PlanningSupervrsor From, Rich Shaw, Land Conservation Manager Peter Sandbeck, Cultural Resources Coordinator Date. February 10, 2014 Re. Proposed 4- Kilowatt Solar Generating Facility – Kinetix Engineering Binks Solar (Cascade Drive / Mt. Sinai Road) Thank you the opportunity to review and comment on this application for constructing solar generating facilities DEAPR comments on such developments are generally to address any concerns with respect to potential impacts on important natural or cultural resources This application is for developing a four - megawatt solar facility on two land parcels (PINs. 9881 -38 -8874 and 9881 -49 -3072) with access from Mt Sinai Road in Chapel Hill Township Both parcels are zoned Rural Buffer Cultural Resources Review Comments There are no known identified or mapped cultural resources within the project parcel or on any of the surrounding adjoining parcels. The site plan as now presented appears to locate the majority of the solar panels at the north end of the property, thereby preserving the open fields and rural character visible from the Mt Sinai Rd The project appears to be consistent with the historic preservation goals in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, Goal 4• 'Preservation of historic, cultural, architectural and archaeological resources, and their associated landscapes " Natural Resources Review Comments There are no known identified or mapped natural resource areas of significance (e g , natural heritage sites, proposed wildlife corridors, prime forest) located on this property, however, there are two streams that originate on the property and drain to the nearby New Hope Creek. The New Hope Creek corridor is an important natural and recreational area, and is host to a variety of significant plant and wildlife species —both terrestrial and aquatic The solar arrays are contained well outside of the stream corridors, therefore the plan appears consistent with the County's desire to minimize adverse environmental impacts on wetlands, natural areas and wildlife habitat. The project is also consistent with policies in the Orange County Comprehensive Plan, such as the goal of "Energy conservation, sustainable use of non - polluting renewable energy resources, efficient use of non - renewable energy resources and clean air " [Natural and Cultural Systems Goal 1, Page 6 -34] and the County's objective of "Foster[ing] participation in green energy programs such as installation incentives for solar hot water /solar generation /solar tempering in residential and commercial construction " [Objective AE -15] If you have questions please contact Peter at x -2517 or Rich at x -2514