OCPB agenda 011018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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• STEP ONE – NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING (NIM): The first step in the review of a SUP application is a holding of a NIM to allow the applicant to meet with local property owners to review the project. STAFF COMMENT: The required NIM was held on December 13, 2017, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in accordance with the UDO. Please refer to Attachment 6 for additional information. • STEP TWO – PLANNING BOARD REVIEW: The Planning Board reviews the request and makes a recommendation to the BOCC on the project’s compliance with specific development standards (Section 5.9.6) and the general standards (Section 5.3.2 Special Uses) of the UDO. Staff prepares a script to aid the Board in making a recommendation. STAFF COMMENT: This review will begin at the January 10, 2018 regular meeting where the Board will be asked to make a recommendation. Please refer to Attachment 4 for additional information. • STEP THREE – PUBLIC HEARING: The BOCC holds a public hearing to allow the applicant and other parties with legal standing to provide sworn testimony related to the proposal. STAFF COMMENT: At this time, staff anticipates the required public hearing will be held at the February 6, 2018 BOCC regular meeting. • STEP FOUR – DECISION: The BOCC will review the Planning Board recommendation as well as any other evidence presented at the hearing, deliberate as necessary, 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. With the exception of installing allowed public and/or private utilities (e.g. water and sewer), these areas will remain undisturbed and provide the required 65 and 80 foot wide stream buffers along the floodplain and top of bank. The area in the northeastern corner of the site will contain a Natural Buffer Area along the 100-year floodplain and stream buffers. 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: 16