Agenda - 05-26-2015 - C-3 - Laserfiche WebLink

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EN Proposal: The applicant is proposing a solar array - public utility via White Cross Road to develop several rows or "solar arrays" of mounted Photovoltaic Cells. The system will generate electricity that in turn will be sold to Duke Energy for the purpose of contributing to the power service grid for the area. Approximately 16 adjacent property owners and area residents attended the meeting. The request was presented by Beth Trahos, attorney for the applicants and George Retschele, the project Engineer. Meeting Highlights: Orange County Planning staff gave the 16 attendees an overview of: the SUP process; the application; the site; surrounding area; site environmental constraints, the zoning and special use permit requirements, and the tentative schedule for the SUP's review and approval or denial by the Orange County Board of Commissioners. Beth Trahos and George Retschle presented the specifics of the application and gave an overview of the site, the subject area, the nature of the solar facility, the public benefits, technical information on the solar arrays, inverters and site maintenance. Ms. Trahos also introduced the potential developer, Cypress Creek Renewables, and offered to conduct additional neighborhood meetings as desired by the area residents. An adjacent property owner asked to make a few remarks on behalf of his interests and that of many who live in the area. He noted that the mailing notification distance was not far enough out (i.e. only 500 feet form the subject property) and that many residents would be left "out of the loop" regarding the proposal and the process. He offered to take additional materials and work with residents to post information via various community networks. He also had questions regarding the size of the proposed solar array, the Annual Report of the developers and utility company, the location of the solar arrays, ability to change the plan, potential impacts to the adjoining properties and vehicular access to Old Greensboro Road. The applicant reviewed the plans illustrating the limits of the request, the proposed access via Old Greensboro Road, background of the developer and the design of the solar array systems. The applicants also offered to host /participate additional meetings with residents so they could be fully informed. Staff reminded all those in attendance the NIM is advertised utilizing 2 methods, specifically a direct mailing and the posting of a sign on the property advertising the meeting's date and time. Staff also indicated information on the application and the NIM was placed on the County website. There was general discussion over advertising requirements, at both a County and State level, for SUP projects. Staff then opened the meeting up to discussion from the audience. Attendees asked the applicants questions regarding the view from the adjacent properties, landscaping property values, the buffer, noise traffic, maintenance, limits of disturbance and procedures for entering evidence into the record. The applicants and staff answered these questions as well as the specific performance standards for solar array facilities (e.g. 50' type D buffer requirements, fencing, stormwater and erosion control permitting).