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3 <br />A new subsection (c) is proposed to limit the size of solar farms to 5 acres, measured by the <br />exterior edges of the solar array. <br /> <br />Landscaping, vegetative buffer, and screening <br /> <br />In the current ordinance under subsection (d), solar farms must be enclosed by approved <br />perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative buffer for screening, wi th an exception for screening <br />being provided by the natural landscape. An additional requirement to that subsection is <br />proposed to require the primary form of buffer to be at least 6-foot tall vegetation. It is also <br />proposed that ground areas within the perimeter fencing not occupied by equipment be <br />planted with native pollinator-friendly plantings, and that applications include a vegetation <br />establishment and management plan to be reviewed and approved by staff . <br /> <br />(4) – Conditions of approval. <br /> <br />In the current ordinance, the Planning Commission may recommend and the City Council may <br />impose additional conditions and requirements beyond those outlined in the performance <br />standards and IUP approval criteria. The ordinance section states three examples of what these <br />conditions may include, but are not limited to. A fourth condition proposed in this section is <br />additional setbacks. <br /> <br />4. STAFF RECOMMENDATION: <br /> <br />Staff is of the opinion that the proposed amendments to Section 9 0-278. – Solar energy systems <br />meet the goals identified by the Planning Commission and City Council to address concerns <br />from residents, and is in line with the vision of the 2040 Comprehensive Plan. <br /> <br />Staff recommends approval of the proposed zoning code amendments to the ordinance Section <br />90-278 Solar Energy Systems (d) (2)(b-i), (4), and (9)(a) to revise the performance standards and <br />conditions of approval. <br /> <br />Staff recommends the Planning Commission open and hold a public hearing and take any and <br />all comments. <br /> <br />5. PLANNING COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION <br /> <br />The Planning Commission unanimously recommended the addition of language specifying that <br />the term for a solar farm IUP begin at the start of operation, and unanimously recommended <br />approval of the proposed amendments to the ordinance Section 90-278 Solar Energy Systems <br />(d) (2)(b-i), (4), and (9)(a) to revise the performance standards, conditions of approval, and <br />expiration and termination. <br /> <br />Attachments: <br />1. Red-lined revisions to the Solar Energy Systems ordinance <br />2. Amended Solar Energy Systems ordinance <br />3. Summary ordinance