Orange County NC Website
12 <br /> <br />• Growth Management System Designation: Urban Designated <br /> <br />REQUEST: <br />• Erection of panels on 27 acres of 52 acre parcel; <br />• Typical array between 7-9 ft. in height, between 2-3 ft. of ground clearance; and 50-75 <br />ft. in length; <br />• Arrays screened by existing vegetation (stream and floodplain buffers) and Type D <br />Land Use Buffer; <br />• An 8’ high chain link security fence around perimeter; <br />• Gravel paths/drives around solar arrays to permit access; <br />• Depending on the soil and topography, areas around the panels will be combination of <br />natural groundcover, grass, and/or paths; <br /> <br />REQUEST: <br />• Vehicular access restricted by an entry gate and gravel drive and 30-50 foot wide <br />easement (via PIN 9835-10-3858) to an existing driveway onto US Highway70. <br />• STAFF COMMENT - This request seeks to re-approve a Class A SUP originally <br />approved by the BOCC on September 12, 2016; <br />• Approval expired in September of 2017; <br />• This request is the same as previously approved with one exception. The <br />language and condition of approval requiring a recorded Conservation Easement <br />has been changed to read preservation of Natural Buffer Area. <br /> <br />SURVEY OF PROPERTY <br /> <br />SITE PLAN: <br />the black rows at are the solar panels; and chain link fence; applicant is providing a 100 ft set <br />back; a lot of existing trees; average height is 40-60 ft tall <br /> <br />REVIEW PROCESS: <br />STEP ONE – NEIGHBORHOOD INFORMATION MEETING (NIM): <br /> STAFF COMMENT: The required NIM was held on November 13, 2017 from 6:30-7:30 <br />p.m. in accordance with the UDO. They had two residents that attended. <br />STEP TWO – PLANNING BOARD REVIEW: Review the request and make a <br />recommendation to the BOCC on the project’s compliance with specific development <br />standards (Section 5.9.6) and the general standards (Section 5.3.2 Special Uses) of the UDO. <br /> STAFF COMMENT: Item reviewed at the January 10, 2017 meeting. Planning Board <br />unanimously recommended approval. <br />STEP THREE – PUBLIC HEARING: The BOCC holds a public hearing to allow the applicant <br />and other interested parties to provide sworn testimony related to the proposal. <br /> STAFF COMMENT: The required public hearing will be held at the February 6, 2018 <br />BOCC Meeting. <br />STEP FOUR – DECISION: The BOCC will review the Planning Board and Staff <br />recommendations as well as any other evidence presented at the hearing, deliberate, certify <br />the record, close the public hearing, and then render a final decision. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATION <br />The Administration recommends the Board: <br />1. Receive the application;