Orange County NC Website
AGENDA ITEM 6: PUBLIC CHARGE56 <br />57 <br />Introduction to the Public Charge58 <br />The Board of County Commissioners, under the authority of North Carolina General Statute, 59 <br />appoints the Orange County Planning Board (OCPB) to uphold the written land development laws 60 <br />of the County. The general purpose of OCPB is to guide and accomplish coordinated and 61 <br />harmonious development. OCPB shall do so in a manner, which considers the present and future 62 <br />needs of its citizens and businesses through efficient and responsive process that contributes to 63 <br />and promotes the health, safety, and welfare of the overall County. The OCPB will make every 64 <br />effort to uphold a vision of responsive governance and quality public services during our 65 <br />deliberations, decisions, and recommendations.66 <br />67 <br />68 <br />Public Charge69 <br />The Planning Board pledges to the citizens of Orange County its respect. The Board asks its 70 <br />citizens to conduct themselves in a respectful, courteous manner, both with the Board and with 71 <br />fellow citizens. At any time, should any member of the Board or any citizen fail to observe this 72 <br />public charge, the Chair will ask the offending member to leave the meeting until that individual 73 <br />regains personal control. Should decorum fail to berestored, the Chair will recess the meeting until 74 <br />such time that a genuine commitment to this public charge is observed.75 <br />76 <br />Lydia Wegman read the public charge aloud.77 <br />78 <br />AGENDA ITEM 7: CHAIR COMMENTS79 <br />There were no comments. 80 <br />81 <br />AGENDA ITEM 8: CLASS ASPECIAL USE PERMIT (SUP)-To review and make a recommendation to the BOCC on a 82 <br />Class A Special Use Permit application to develop a solar array/public utility station on 27.8 acres of a 52 acre parcel 83 <br />of property (PIN 9835-02-9137, no address assigned yet) which is accessed via an easement from 6519 U.S. 84 <br />Highway 70 West within the Cheeks Township. An SUP was approved in September 2016 but has expired, 85 <br />necessitating consideration of a new SUP.86 <br />Presenter:Patrick Mallett, Planner II87 <br />88 <br />Patrick Mallett summarized that this application was previously reviewed by the Planning Board atits August 3, 2016,89 <br />regular meeting and approved by the BOCC on September 12, 2016. This approval expired on September 12, 2017, 90 <br />and therefore needs to be re-approved.This is a solar array third party company that transfersits power to Duke 91 <br />Energy. He reviewed the site plan. There is 20 to 30 feet of elevation change as well as distance between this 92 <br />property and residential neighbors. 93 <br />94 <br />Lydia Wegman asked about the distance from residential land.95 <br />96 <br />Patrick Mallett answeredmostly more than 1,000 feet. He continued to review the site plan, including the location of 97 <br />the access easement, the screening and buffer of the solar array area. He pointed out stream buffers along the 98 <br />perimeters of the property. Previously, there was a condition to preserve a conservation easement in a corner of the 99 <br />property. Staff has determined that it the conservation easement wascumbersome with legalities and instead 100 <br />proposed to call that corner a natural buffer area. 101 <br />102 <br />Lydia Wegman asked if that change will be reflected in thelease agreement. 103 <br />104 <br />Patrick Mallettsaid the plat would lock that in as a commitment that they will not disturb that corner. The stream 105 <br />buffers would not permit the owner to do much anyway, he added. 106 <br />107 <br />Brian Quintan added that when it is recorded for the lease, it will be written that this area cannot be disturbed. 108 <br />109 <br />Tony Blakenoted it is only good as long as the lease is in effect. Brian Quintan confirmedthat. 110 <br /> 7