Laserfiche WebLink
Ordinance 2016-475 <br />Solar Energy <br /> <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 /> <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 50 100 feet from all property lines, 200 feet from all and public <br />road rights-of-way, and 200 feet from any principal structure on adjacent properties. <br />c. Solar farms shall be limited to a size of 5 acres, measured by the exterior edges of the <br />solar array. <br />dc. Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point <br />when oriented at maximum tilt. <br />ed. Solar farms shall be enclosed by approved perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative <br />buffer for screening. The primary form of buffer for screening shall be at least 6-foot <br />tall vegetation. Exception may be granted if the natural landscape provides screening <br />from all public right of ways and neighboring properties. <br />f. All ground areas within the perimeter fencing of a solar farm that are not occupied by <br />equipment or access paths shall be planted with deep rooted, native pollinator <br />plantings. <br />g. Solar farm applications shall include a vegetation establishment and management <br />plan which shall be reviewed and approved by staff. <br />he. 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.