Agenda - 5-a - Class A Special Use Permit – Solar Array off US Highway 70 in Cheeks Township

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196 PLANNING & INSPECTIONS DEPARTMENT Craig N. Benedict, AICP, Director Adrninitratiion 131 W. Margaret Large (919) 246 -2675 E.r Suite 241 (919) 644 -3002 (FAX) ,a' GE COUNTY P. 0. Box 8181 www.orangecountync.gov NORTH CAROLINA. Hillsborough, NC 27278 NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING OA1CV4OOD SOLAR, LLC CLAss A SU P FOR SOLAR ARRAY — PUBLIC UTILITY Wednesday, December 13, 2017" — 6:30-7.30 pm West Campus Office Building 131 West Margaret Lane ffeeting Votes In atlt*rrdaisce. • Patrick Ma'llen, Planner]] (Current Planning Staff) • Bron Quinlan with Calvert Ener (Applicant) • John Lawson, Resident • Jan de Sin vak, Resident Staff Introduction. • Staff welcomed attendees to the meeting. • Staff, explained that the Neighborhood Information Meeting (NIM) was designed to be an informal dialogue about the proposed development of a solar array on the Mace property off of US Hwy 70 (PTN 9835 -02- 9137). 'rhe 1s IM allows neighboring; property owners ask questions about the project outside of the formal, legal constraints of a Planning Board meeting or a board of County Commissioners (130CC) public meeting. • Staff explained that the BOCC meeting, which is scheduled for February 6, 2018, is a quasi - judicial process. It is similar to a court proceeding in that evidence is entered into the record, those: giving testimony are sworn in, and hear -say is not admissible. • Staff' briefly reviewed the documents and the requimmcnts for a Class A SUP. Pres'entationfrom Brian Quinlan with Calvert FTnergy: • The ,applicant reviewed the major elements of the project as well as the recent changes in Federal regulations and State law regarding molar power. He noted that then: changes in large part caused a delay, which in turn prevented the project from proceeding before the SUP expired. • Stafr and the Applicant also reviewed the proposM change to remove a condition requiring the recordation of an Orange County Con rvation Basement on the northeastem earner of the property that is within Special Flood Hazard overlay and Stream buffer. loth Staff and the .applicant are recommending that die area be preserved via a recorded Natural Buffer, but not held to a Conservation Easement. • Tlie neighborhood residents inquired and reviewed the plans as they relate: to their home in terms of visibility and the potential impact can their property. They then noted that the buffer, distance to their home topography seemed to mitigate any potential impact. • They also expressed an interest in learning more about solar projects in general and asked to continue dialogue with tlae applicant. The applicant agreed to share information and ,answer any questions they may have.