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30 <br /> The access is adequate for the proposed use and emergency services. The site will be maintained <br /> periodically and through scheduled maintenance and landscaping performed as necessary. Parking <br /> spaces will be available for maintenance on site. <br /> Soil erosion and sedimentation will be mitigated prior construction. During construction,erosion <br /> control measures will be taken as required in accordance with the County regulations. The solar array- <br /> public utility will comply with County storm water regulations. All environmental buffers will also be in <br /> compliance. <br /> B. The use will maintain and enhance the value of contiguous property(unless the use Is a public <br /> necessity,In which case the use need not maintain or enhance the value of contiguous property.) <br /> The site for the solar array is hidden from the neighboring residences and the roadway.The nearest <br /> residence is 410'from the site. The site has significant natural trees,shrubs and other vegetation. The <br /> vegetation surrounding the site will be left undisturbed to provide a natural buffer. The solar farm- <br /> public utility will meet the requirements of a Type D evergreen landscape buffer intended to obstruct <br /> views of the solar farm and preserve the appearance of the area. The solar farm produces no harmful <br /> emissions, no noise,and requires no lighting. An independent study has been performed by an <br /> appraiser that indicates that the contiguous properties will maintain their value with the installation of a <br /> Solar Array. The solar farm will increase the tax base of the County without adding any burdens on <br /> existing infrastructure such as schools,water,and/or waste systems. Furthermore,the Solar Array <br /> installation has received a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity from the North Carolina <br /> Utilities Commission on February 2,2016. <br /> C. The location and character of the use,if developed according to the plan submitted,will be In <br /> harmony with the area in which it is to be located and the use is In compliance with the plan for the <br /> physical development of the County as embodied in these regulations or in the Comprehensive Plan, <br /> or portion thereof,adopted by the Board of County Commissioners. <br /> Throughout the Orange County Land Use Plan references are made to the County's desire to encourage <br /> locally-generated alternative energy resources and to promote alternative and sustainable fuels. The <br /> Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory and Reduction Action Plan initiated by Orange County in 2006 <br /> suggested that private alternative energy production be encouraged in the County. The Orange County <br /> Comprehensive Plan designates this as a 10 Year Transition area. Allowing the subject property to <br /> develop as a solar array-public utility provides an opportunity for locally generated energy resources in <br /> Orange County and creates income for the property owners and tax base for the County. <br /> The installation will be in harmony and maintain the character of the area.The majority of the <br /> surrounding properties are Rural Residential with the abutting property to the south Existing <br /> Commercial. The Solar Farm is a low intensity use which will not disturb the existing wetland areas and <br /> streams and ponds on site. The installation will maintain existing trees and shrubs on site as a natural <br /> buffer which will be supplemented as necessary to meet Type D buffer requirements. The Solar Array <br /> presents no potential hazardous waste and the production of electricity is virtually silent with any noise <br /> from the inverters dissipating to background levels at the fence line of the Solar Array. The traffic for <br /> the use will be less than that of a single family home. <br />