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AGENDA ITEM 6: PUBLIC CHARGE 56 57 Introduction to the Public Charge 58 The Board of County Commissioners, under the authority of North Carolina General Statute, 59 appoints the Orange County Planning Board (OCPB) to uphold the written land development laws 60 of the County. The general purpose of OCPB is to guide and accomplish coordinated and 61 harmonious development. OCPB shall do so in a manner, which considers the present and future 62 needs of its citizens and businesses through efficient and responsive process that contributes to 63 and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the overall County. The OCPB will make every 64 effort to uphold a vision of responsive governance and quality public services during our 65 deliberations, decisions, and recommendations. 66 67 68 Public Charge 69 The Planning Board pledges to the citizens of Orange County its respect. The Board asks its 70 citizens to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Board and with 71 fellow citizens. At any time, should any member of the Board or any citizen fail to observe this 72 public charge, the Chair will ask the offending member to leave the meeting until that individual 73 regains personal control. Should decorum fail to be restored, the Chair will recess the meeting until 74 such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed. 75 76 Lydia Wegman read the public charge aloud. 77 78 AGENDA ITEM 7: CHAIR COMMENTS 79 There were no comments. 80 81 AGENDA ITEM 8: CLASS A SPECIAL USE PERMIT (SUP) - To review and make a recommendation to the BOCC on a 82 Class A Special Use Permit application to develop a solar array/public utility station on 27.8 acres of a 52 acre parcel 83 of property (PIN 9835-02-9137, no address assigned yet) which is accessed via an easement from 6519 U.S. 84 Highway 70 West within the Cheeks Township. An SUP was approved in September 2016 but has expired, 85 necessitating consideration of a new SUP. 86 Presenter: Patrick Mallett, Planner II 87 88 Patrick Mallett summarized that this application was previously reviewed by the Planning Board at its August 3, 2016, 89 regular meeting and approved by the BOCC on September 12, 2016. This approval expired on September 12, 2017, 90 and therefore needs to be re-approved. This is a solar array third party company that transfers its power to Duke 91 Energy. He reviewed the site plan. There is 20 to 30 feet of elevation change as well as distance between this 92 property and residential neighbors. 93 94 Lydia Wegman asked about the distance from residential land. 95 96 Patrick Mallett answered mostly more than 1,000 feet. He continued to review the site plan, including the location of 97 the access easement, the screening and buffer of the solar array area. He pointed out stream buffers along the 98 perimeters of the property. Previously, there was a condition to preserve a conservation easement in a corner of the 99 property. Staff has determined that it the conservation easement was cumbersome with legalities and instead 100 proposed to call that corner a natural buffer area. 101 102 Lydia Wegman asked if that change will be reflected in the lease agreement. 103 104 Patrick Mallett said the plat would lock that in as a commitment that they will not disturb that corner. The stream 105 buffers would not permit the owner to do much anyway, he added. 106 107 Brian Quintan added that when it is recorded for the lease, it will be written that this area cannot be disturbed. 108 109 Tony Blake noted it is only good as long as the lease is in effect. Brian Quintan confirmed that. 110 7