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FastSun 4, LLC. Solar Farm IUP <br />Page 4 <br />B. Natural Characteristics of Site <br />The property is approximately 30 acres, however the applicant has indicated they will be leasing <br />the western 19.8 acres of the property and are proposing to install a solar farm on 5 acres in the <br />northwest corner of the property. The property is relatively flat and has been historically used for <br />row crops. <br />Wetlands make up a large majority of this property and occupy 13.3 acres of the 19.8 acre leased <br />area. There are 16.3 acres of wetlands on the entire 30 acre property. The applicant has completed <br />and received approval of a wetland delineation of the entire 30 acre site from the Technical <br />Evaluation Panel (TEP). They are currently in the process of receiving approval on their wetland <br />replacement application. It shall be a condition of approval that the applicant receives all approvals <br />necessary from the TEP as well as abides by any conditions the TEP recommends in their Notice <br />of Decision (NOD). <br />6. ANALYSIS OF A SOLAR FARM INTERIM USE PERMIT: <br />The zoning code outlines a number of general standards for the operation of all solar energy <br />systems, whether it's a solar farm or accessory solar energy system. These include the requirement <br />for a building permit, evidence of an agreement with the local utility, responsibility of the applicant <br />to secure any solar energy easements, all solar energy components labeled in accordance with City <br />code, all exterior electrical or service lines be buried, and all solar energy systems be in compliance <br />with adopted city and state building codes. In addition to the general standards for all solar energy <br />systems, there are performance standards for solar farms, which are described below: <br />(a) Solar farms shall be located on a minimum lot size of ten acres within the Long Term <br />Agricultural (LA), Agricultural (AG), Rural Residential (RR), and Future Urban Service (FUS) <br />zoning districts. Solar farms may also be located in any other zoning district only in the <br />floodplain, as long as all other conditions are met. <br />The applicant is proposing to lease 19.8 acres of a 30 acre parcel located in the Future Urban <br />Service zoning district. <br />(b) Solar farms shall be 50 feet from all property lines and public road rights-of-way. <br />The applicant has proposed a fence surrounding the solar farm to be located on the 50 foot setback <br />line from the north and west property line. The fence is approximately 650 feet from the east <br />property line and 350 feet from the right-of-way on 165th Street to the south. The actual solar <br />panels would be setback approximately 15 feet from the fenced area. <br />(c) Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point when <br />oriented at maximum tilt. <br />The applicant has indicated that the solar energy system will be approximately 12 feet tall. The <br />applicant has stated that the solar energy panels will be one of two systems: A single -axis tracker, <br />that tilts up and down to follow the sun during the year, but not during the day or a fixed tilt system <br />4 <br />