Agenda - 09-12-2016 - C.1 - Class A Special Use Permit - Solar Array off US Highway 70 in Cheeks Township

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9 CADENCE OF REVIEW: The review of a SUP is as follows: • STEP ONE — NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING (NIM): The first step in the review of a SUP application is a holding of a NIM to allow the applicant to meet with local property owners to review the project. STAFF COMMENT: The required NIM was held on July 27, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in accordance with the UDO. Notes from this meeting are contained within Attachment 5. • STEP TWO — PLANNING BOARD REVIEW: The Planning Board reviews the request and makes a recommendation to the BOCC on the project's compliance with specific development standards (Section 5.9.6) and the general standards (Section 5.3.2 Special Uses) of the UDO. Staff prepares a script to aid the Board in making a recommendation. STAFF COMMENT: The Planning Board reviewed this item at its August 3, 2016 regular meeting and unanimously recommended approval. Please refer to Attachment 6 for a copy of the minutes from this meeting. Attachment 8 contains the findings of fact for the project as recommended by the Planning Board and staff. • STEP THREE — PUBLIC HEARING: The BOCC holds a public hearing to allow the applicant and other interested parties to provide sworn testimony related to the proposal. STAFF COMMENT: The required public hearing will be held at the September 12, 2016 Quarterly Public Hearing. Please refer to Attachment 7 for a copy of the public hearing notice. • STEP FOUR — DECISION: The BOCC will review the Planning Board/staff recommendation as well as any other testimony/evidence presented at the hearing, deliberate, certify the record, close the public hearing, and then render a final decision. BACKGROUND (APPLICATION): The applicant is proposing to develop a solar facility on a 27.3 acre leased portion of the 52.1 acre subject property with the remaining 24.8 acres being undeveloped. Please refer to Attachment(s) 1 through 3 for additional information Proposed individual arrays shall be approximately 7-to 9-feet in height, with approximately 2-to 3-feet of ground clearance, and approximately 50-feet in length. A gated 6 foot high chain link security fence, topped with 3-feet of strand barbed wire, shall enclose the perimeter of the array to prevent access. This fenced area shall be further surrounded by a Type D 50-foot wide landscaped buffer. There shall be no business or other occupied office located on the property. Vehicular access is proposed via a 30-to 50-foot wide access easement through Orange County PIN 9835-10-3858 to an existing driveway onto US Highway 70. This parcel is also owned by the family leasing the subject areas to Oakwood Solar Farm LLC/ ESA Renewables. The site contains floodplain, numerous stream buffers and connected water body features in the northeastern and eastern portions of the subject parcel. These areas will remain undisturbed and the required 65-and 80-foot wide stream buffers along the floodplain and top of bank shall be provided.