Orange County NC Website
3 <br /> approximately 2 to 3 feet of ground clearance, and 47 feet in length. Approximately 20 acres of the <br /> site will be initially disturbed with 11 .5 acres containing the actual solar facility. A 6 foot high <br /> chain link security fence, topped with 3 strand barbed wire, shall enclose the perimeter of the array to <br /> prevent access and the array shall be surrounded by a Type D 50 foot wide landscaped buffer. <br /> There shall be no business or other occupied office located on the property and vehicular access is <br /> off of White Cross Road and shall be restricted via a 24 foot access gate. <br /> Analysis: As required under Section 2.7.4 of the UDO, the Planning Director is required to: <br /> `cause an analysis to be made of the application' and pass that analysis on to the reviewing <br /> body. In analyzing this request, the Planning Director offers the following: <br /> a. Application submittal requirements detailed within Section 2.7 of the UDO have been <br /> satisfied. <br /> b. The applicant has demonstrated compliance with respect to landscaping and buffering <br /> requirements as detailed within Section 6.8 of the UDO. <br /> c. Staff has made the determination that a formal Environmental Impact Statement would <br /> not be required per Section 6.16 of the UDO. <br /> d. The applicant has complied with specific development standards associated with the <br /> development of a solar facility as detailed within Section 5.9.6 (C) of the UDO. <br /> e. Comments received from various County agencies (i.e. Sheriff, Fire Marshal, <br /> Environment, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation, Orange County Health) indicate there <br /> are no concerns associated with the request. <br /> Please refer to Attachment 3 of the May 26, 2015 Quarterly Public Hearing packet <br /> (http://www.orangecountync.qov/150526QPHKC.pdf) for additional information. <br /> f. Staff finds the proposal is consistent with the various goals outlined within the <br /> Comprehensive Plan concerning development, including: <br /> a. Natural and Cultural Systems Goal 1: Energy conservation, sustainable use of <br /> non-polluting renewable energy resources, efficient use of non-renewable energy <br /> resources and clean air. <br /> b. Objective AE-15: Foster participation in green energy programs such as <br /> installation incentives for solar hot water/solar generation/solar tempering in <br /> residential or commercial construction. The County should develop programs that <br /> will link citizens and businesses with options for alternative and sustainable energy <br /> sources. <br /> c. Objective AG-8: Encourage the use and production of natural fuel alternatives to <br /> petroleum based products and pursue new types of energy sources. <br /> Planning Board Review: The Planning Board reviewed this item at its July 1 , 2015 regular <br /> meeting(s) and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the SUP as well as the <br /> imposition of several conditions associated with the development of the project. <br /> Please refer to Attachment 5 for the Board's recommendations. Attachment 6 contains a letter <br /> from the applicant accepting the imposition of the recommended conditions. <br />