Minutes 05-27-2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Michael Harvey: Good evening, once again my name is Michael Harvey. I am with the Orange County Planning Department. It is my duty this evening to present you staff's abstract related to a Class A special use permit proposing the development of a solar array public utility on a parcel of property off Mount Sinai Road in the Chapel Hill Township of Orange County. You will note that, beginning on page 3, you have staff's abstract. You also have four attachments. Beginning on page 9, is attachment 1, which is the application packet. This contains a narrative, an appraisal report, an environmental assessment application, as well as a memorandum of lease for these properties. Attachment 2 on page 82 is the vicinity map denoting the property. You will note -we will get to it in a minute -this property is located at the intersection of Cascade and Mount Sinai Road. Attachment 3 beginning on page 83 are staff's comments. This includes, on page 87, State Clearinghouse review comments on the proposed project. And then finally, attachment 4, which is the notification materials where we sent out- certified letters to all property owners within 500 feet, informing them of them public hearing. I have a very brief presentation, and then I would like to turn it over to the applicant. Michael Harvey reviewed the following PowerPoint slides: Powerpoint MAY 27, 2014 AGENDA ITEM: QUARTERLY PUBLIC HEARING CLASS A SPECIAL USE PERMIT DEVELOPMENT OF A SOLAR ARRAY - PUBLIC UTILITY PROPERTY INFORMATION • PIN(s): 9881-38-8874 and 9881-49-3072. • Size: Approximately 50 acres total. • Zoning: Rural Buffer (RB). • Future Land Use Map Designation: Rural Buffer. • Growth Management System Designation: Rural. • Joint Land Use Plan Designation: Rural Buffer— Rural Residential Area REQUEST: • Erect individual solar array panels on approximately 19 acres of property. • Typical array is between 6 and 10 feet in height, with approximately 2 to 3 feet of ground. Clearance, and approximately 63 feet in length. • Arrays will be screened by an installed 50 ft. wide land use buffer. • An 8 foot high chain link security fence shall surround the perimeter of the array field, outside of the proposed land use buffer, to prevent access. • REQUEST (Continued): • Gravel paths/drives will be installed around these arrays in order to permit access by technicians to service the panels. In certain areas there will be natural, grass, paths depending on soil. • Vehicular access to the site is restricted by a 24 foot access gate off of Cascade Road. • Initial soils assessment, required per Section 5.9.6 (C) (1) (d), indicates property can support project. Applicant proposing condition that final, detailed, soil assessment be completed after SUP issued due to expense. — STAFF COMMENT: consistent with other similar projects.