OCPB agenda 080316 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

STAFF COMMENT: This review will begin at the August 3, 2016 regular meeting where the Board will be asked to make a recommendation. Please refer to Attachment 4 for a copy of the aforementioned script. • 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. • STEP FOUR – DECISION: The BOCC will review the Planning Board recommendation as well as any other evidence presented at the hearing, deliberate, certify the record, close the public hearing, and then render a final decision. BACKGROUND: 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) 2 and 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 provide the required 65 and 80 foot wide stream buffers along the floodplain and top of bank. Analysis: As required under Section 2.7.4 of the UDO, the Planning Director is required to: ‘cause an analysis to be made of the application’ and pass that analysis on to the reviewing body. In analyzing this request, the Planning Director offers the following: a. Application submittal requirements detailed within Section 2.7 of the UDO have been satisfied. b. The applicant has demonstrated compliance with respect to landscaping and buffering requirements as detailed within Section 6.8 of the UDO. c. Staff has made the determination that a formal Environmental Impact Statement would not be required per Section 6.16 of the UDO. d. The applicant has complied with specific development standards associated with the development of a solar facility as detailed within Section 5.9.6 (C) of the UDO. e. Comments received from various County agencies (i.e. Sheriff, Fire Marshal, DEAPR, Orange County Health) indicate there are no concerns associated with the request. For more information please refer to Attachment 5. f. Staff finds the proposal is consistent with the various goals outlined within the Comprehensive Plan concerning development, including: 21