PC Packet 08.23.18 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

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