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180 <br /> o The solar arrays will be mounted via direct drive posts without major land <br /> disturbance. Panels will be positioned at a fixed tilt (approximately 20-25 degree <br /> angle, 2 feet off of the group and 7-8 feet in height at the highest point). There <br /> will be five concrete pads for converters. Construction is expected to take 4-6 <br /> months. Stormwater management is practiced during the construction period. <br /> o The solar panels themselves are encapsulated in glass. If the glass is cracked, the <br /> chemicals are stable. The EPA has said the panels are even safe enough to <br /> landfill. <br /> o The electromagnetic field (EMF) from the solar panels dissipates within 150 feet. <br /> Mr. Quinlan noted that the closest home is 400 feet from the site. <br /> • The Value of Contiguous Property: <br /> o Mr. Quinlan said he spoke previously with a realtor, who gave a germane <br /> example about a subdivision in Goldsboro, NC. Several homes in the subdivision <br /> were already built when a solar farm was established on an adjacent lot. The <br /> realtor observed no decreases in property values for the subdivision lots/homes <br /> after the solar farm was established. <br /> o Trees and shrubs not within the buffer areas will be removed during site <br /> development, though the applicant will also supplement landscaping to meet the <br /> requirements. There is roughly a 20 foot — 35 foot differential to adjacent <br /> properties from higher points on site. <br /> • The Character and Harmony: <br /> o Mr. Quinlan said the solar array will create minimal impervious surface coverage, <br /> but the project may require some stormwater management. The applicants are <br /> working with Erosion Control & Engineering on that. <br /> o The stream buffers and floodplain on the lot have been surveyed. Mr. Quinlan <br /> said those areas will not be disturbed. <br /> o The applicants said the project will comply with the Type D Land Use Buffer <br /> required by the County. <br /> o Patrick Mallett, Planner II, noted that solar panels will be approximately 20 — 30 <br /> ft. above the neighboring properties on an elevated knoll. <br /> o Mr. Quinlan said the proposed development is low impact. Their traffic study <br /> showed that it will yield less than one trip per day. <br /> o The lease is for 15 years (three 5-year terms). <br /> o The applicants already have a decommissioning plan in place for 2025. If <br /> necessary, the applicants will have the area re-seeded after the solar arrays are <br /> removed. <br /> Question and Answer Period <br /> • Paul Fredrick, a neighboring property owner, asked if the applicants would be lighting <br /> the site. The applicants said no. <br /> • Roger Ivey, a neighboring property owner, asked if the applicants had conducted a <br /> decibel survey for the solar panels. Javier Latre with ESA renewables explained that the <br /> inverters on the solar panels are like transformers. He said the sound dissipates within <br /> 150 ft. of the inverters, and the panels are more than 150 ft. from the property lines of the <br /> site. <br /> • The applicants, Patrick Mallett, and Mr. Ivey looked at the site plan, and it appears Mr. <br /> Ivey's property is at least 1,000 ft. from the inverters. Mr. Latre said he would send Mr. <br /> Ivey information showing how far his property is from the inverters. <br /> 3 <br />