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Ordinance 2016-475 <br /> Solar Energy <br /> (d) Solar farms. <br /> (1) Solar farm interim use permits. An interim use permit application must be submitted for <br /> approval by the Planning Commission and City Council before a permit is issued for a solar <br /> farm. The information required and the procedure to be followed for all solar farm interim <br /> use permit applications shall be the same as that required for a conditional use permit set <br /> forth in subsections 90-37(a) and (b). In addition, the applicant shall submit supplementary <br /> information pertaining to the nature of the solar farm including: <br /> a. Total square footage of the solar energy system. <br /> b. Total energy production for the site. <br /> c. To scale horizontal and vertical (elevation) drawings. <br /> d. Drawings must show the location of the system on the property including the property <br /> lines and proposed fencing or vegetative buffer. <br /> e. Decommissioning plan. <br /> (2) Performance standards for solar farms. Solar farms shall be erected and maintained to <br /> meet the following standards. <br /> a. Solar farms shall be located on a minimum lot size of 10 acres within the Long Term <br /> Agricultural (LA), Agricultural (AG), Rural Residential (RR), and Future Urban <br /> Service (FUS) zoning districts. Solar farms may also be located in any other zoning <br /> district only in the floodplain, as long as all other conditions are met. <br /> b. Solar farms shall be 50 feet from all property lines and public road rights-of-way. <br /> c. Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point <br /> when oriented at maximum tilt. <br /> d. Solar farms shall be enclosed by approved perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative <br /> buffer for screening. Exception may be granted if the natural landscape provides <br /> screening from all public right of ways and neighboring properties. <br /> e. The owner/operator of the solar farm shall provide the City with evidence that the <br /> solar energy system is functioning properly. This shall be provided at any time <br /> deemed necessary by the City. <br /> f. The owner/operator shall submit a decommissioning plan for the solar farm to ensure <br /> that the owner/operator properly removes the equipment and facilities upon the end of <br /> the project life, abandonment, expiration, or termination of the interim use permit. If <br /> the solar energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period <br /> of 12 months, the system shall be deemed abandoned and shall constitute a public <br /> nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after a <br /> demolition permit has been obtained within 90 days after notice has been given. <br /> Removal includes the entire structure including transmission equipment, structures <br /> and foundations, and the restoration of soil and vegetation. The owner/operator shall <br /> provide a current-day decommissioning cost estimate, and shall post financial <br /> security in a form acceptable by the City. This estimate must include an inflationary <br /> I <br />