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Beth Trehos: In conclusion, we believe that we have met the burden of proof that is required of <br /> us and we have provided substantial material to accomplish our task in demonstration <br /> compliance with the findings of fact we were required to make. Thank you for your time. <br /> Christen Smith: Good evening, my name is Christen Smith and I've been duly sworn. I am the <br /> Director of Public Policy at the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Chamber of Commerce. We wanted to <br /> enthusiastically express our support for this project. We have a chance for economic <br /> development, community improvement, and reputation building that comports with our <br /> community's values and commitment to the environment and sustainability. This is a local <br /> company that has put down roots here and has a great reputation at quality work throughout the <br /> state and in the southeast. You have a great partner. Strata Solar won the 2012 Business of <br /> the Year Award and has the Chamber's full trust and confidence. We are happy to comment <br /> and encourage you to support this project. This is a local company creating local green jobs <br /> with an economic impact and an increased use of renewables, showing again Orange County's <br /> commitment to sustainability. This is also a movement towards developing solar as a potential <br /> cluster??? in our economic development strategy. It is consistent with our expressed values of <br /> our commitment to the environment, our commitment to people and jobs, and our commitment <br /> to the economy. We are very excited to support this project. <br /> Michael Harvey: I have a couple of closing remarks. I want to call the Board's attention to <br /> Attachment 3, which contains various memorandum from departments indicating that they have <br /> no issues or concerns with the proposed development. We also have a memorandum from <br /> Orange County Health Department saying they have done reviews and have no issues. We <br /> have not received any concerns from the Sheriff's Department, the fire department concerning <br /> this site. Obviously, there will not be facilities, so again, there is no septic or well. <br /> I'd like to remind the Board, as we have identified in your abstract, specifically on page 2, this <br /> property is in a forest management plan. Meaning there is tree harvesting and replacing trees <br /> throughout the property. Our goal at the Planning department is to continue to allow the family <br /> to adequately farm their property while working with Strata Solar to preserve sufficient <br /> landscape buffers. On page 3 of our abstract, we have outlined the various development <br /> requirements associated with a Class A Special Use Permit. You will note specifically with <br /> respect to Section 5.9.3 of the UDO we have found this project to be complaint. As I already <br /> talked about, there will be a 75-foot managed landscape buffer and the trees will be managed <br /> properly so that they don't create an adverse impact on the array but they still provide the <br /> necessary visual obstruction. I'll conclude my remarks by saying the County staff has not been <br /> provided any documents or comments or concerns from the adjacent property owners indicating <br /> their lack of support for the project. The Planning Director's recommendation is to receive the <br /> application, conduct the hearing, refer the matter to the Planning Board for their review and <br /> comment, that you adjourn this public hearing to September 18th for a recommendation. <br /> Commissioner Jacobs: On page 39, the letter from the North Carolina Wildlife Resources <br /> Commission, their recommendation is a 100 foot vegetative stream buffer on the property. I <br /> don't recall what he said about the buffer on the stream. <br /> Michael Harvey: It's going to observe the appropriate stream buffer as defined within Article 6 <br /> of our Unified Development Ordinance. You're going to have a 65-80-foot buffer depending on <br /> the slope. So if I could call your attention to that too. This slide, Commissioner Jacobs, the <br /> protected stream buffer is consistent with what is required within Article 6. The edge of the <br /> leased area essentially is the center of the stream. The stream buffer is going to be preserved <br /> and maintained. We would allow under the current guidelines for it to be maintained and to <br />