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ORANGE COUNTY <br />PLANNING BOARD <br />ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT <br /> Meeting Date: August 3, 2016 <br /> Action Agenda <br /> Item No. 7 <br /> <br />SUBJECT: Class A Special Use Permit – Solar Array off US Highway 70 in Cheeks <br />Township <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT: Planning and Inspections <br /> <br /> <br />ATTACHMENTS: INFORMATION CONTACT: <br />1. Application <br />2. Site Plan <br />3. Site Assessment <br />4. Special Use Permit Findings of Fact, and <br />Patrick Mallett, Planner II (919) 245-2577 <br />Michael D. Harvey, Planner III (919) 245-2597 <br />Craig Benedict, Director (919) 245-2592 <br />5. Staff Review Comments <br />Under Separate Cover – Full Scale <br />Copy of Site Plan <br /> <br /> <br />PURPOSE: To being review of, and make a recommendation on, a Class A Special Use Permit <br />(hereafter ‘SUP’) application proposing the development of a solar array in accordance with <br />Section 2.7 Special Use Permits and Section 5.9.6 (C) Solar Array-Public Utility of the Orange <br />County Unified Development Ordinance (UDO). <br /> <br />As a reminder the review of this item by the BOCC is carried out in a quasi-judicial format. <br />Decisions relating to the ultimate approval or denial of SUP applications are based solely on the <br />sworn testimony of all parties involved with the case, both those for and against, as well as the <br />review of competent material and substantial evidence submitted during the public hearing. <br />Hearsay or unsubstantiated opinions are not sufficient testimony. <br /> <br />It should be noted this is the first SUP application reviewed under the revised permit review and <br />notification process adopted by the County in November of 2015. <br /> <br />CADENCE OF REVIEW: The review of a SUP is as follows: <br /> <br />• STEP ONE – NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING (NIM): The first step in the <br />review of a SUP application is a holding of a NIM to allow the applicant to meet with local <br />property owners to review the project. <br />STAFF COMMENT: The required NIM was held on July 27, 2015 from 5:30 p.m. <br />to 7:30 p.m. in accordance with the UDO. <br />• STEP TWO – PLANNING BOARD REVIEW: The Planning Board reviews the request <br />and makes a recommendation to the BOCC on the project’s compliance with specific <br />development standards (Section 5.9.6) and the general standards (Section 5.3.2 Special <br />Uses) of the UDO. Staff prepares a script to aid the Board in making a recommendation. <br /> 20