Orange County NC Website
_tr T If 13 <br /> • also to be fenced and screened and the site must be of <br /> sufficient size for any proposed sewage disposal system. <br /> Requirements relating to sewage disposal and storage <br /> areas do no apply to substations. The only applicable <br /> requirements relate to landscaping. <br /> Although it is recommended that the use be permitted by <br /> right, there are also additional standards and criteria <br /> which are proposed which are more stringent and specific <br /> than those currently required to obtain a Special Use <br /> Permit. Scearbo summarized those conditions as <br /> follows: <br /> 1) Perimeter fencing around the structure in accordance <br /> with the National Electrical Code <br /> 2) The components of the structure itself shall be <br /> contained within an area not to exceed 12, 000 sq. <br /> ft. or .27 acres <br /> 3) The easement or parcel on which the facility is <br /> located must be at least 5000 sq. ft. though in most <br /> cases it will be at least several acres. <br /> 4) Access easements shall be at least 30' in width <br /> 5) A Type E landscape buffer is required along any <br /> portion of the easement or parcel adjacent to a <br /> • residential district, except where it's adjacent to <br /> another parcel or easement owned or leased by a <br /> public electric utility. A Type E buffer requires <br /> • evergreen vegetation, opaque to a height of 25' and <br /> • semi-opaque of 30' . This can generally be met by <br /> • existing vegetation. <br /> 6) Any modification of existing facilities is subject <br /> to these same requirements. <br /> The Ordinance Review Committee considered the amendment <br /> and recommended approval with one exception. The <br /> - maximum size of the structure was originally-proposed to - <br /> — - <br /> be 8000 sq. ft. Piedmont EMC later requested that it be <br /> increased to 12,000 sq. ft. <br /> Best noted that the issue was not just substations but <br /> also transmission lines, which could include all <br /> easements. Scearbo responded that transmission lines <br /> - themselves are permitted by right through the list of <br /> permitted uses in the Zoning Ordinance. <br /> Concern was expressed by Commissioner Wilihoit that <br /> attention should focus on screening which could be <br /> provided by terrain rather than relying on landscaping. <br />