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Enterprise Energy, LLC. Solar Farm Site Plan and IUP <br /> Page 3 <br /> The applicant is proposing to construct the 5-acre solar farm in the center of a 12-acre property <br /> that is zoned Agricultural (AG). <br /> (b) Solar farms shall be 100 feet from all property lines, 200 feet from all public road rights-of- <br /> way, and 200 feet from any principal structure on adjacent properties. <br /> The applicant's site plan meets all of the required setbacks. <br /> (c) Solar farms shall be limited to a size of five acres, measured by the exterior edges of the solar <br /> array. <br /> The applicant has indicated that the fenced in area of the solar farm will measure at approximately <br /> 5 acres, with the area of the solar panels to be approximately 3.9 acres. <br /> (d) 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 10 feet tall. Staff is <br /> requiring that the solar panels all be level with each other, which may require different heights of <br /> mounting equipment. The applicant has stated that the solar energy panels will be a fixed system <br /> with the panels facing south and not moving throughout the day. Staff will continue to work with <br /> the applicant to ensure that he solar panels are at a height such that they will be generally level <br /> across the site. This will be a condition in the IUP. <br /> (e) Solar farms shall be enclosed by approved perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative buffer for <br /> screening. Exception may be granted if the natural landscape provides screening from all public <br /> right of ways and neighboring properties. <br /> The applicant has indicated that they will be installing a 6-foot galvanized chain link perimeter <br /> fence for safety and security. This type of fence will not provide any screening, therefore, the <br /> applicant has submitted a landscape plan. <br /> The intent of the landscaping portion of the solar energy system section of the code is to provide <br /> a buffer between surrounding properties and a solar farm. The applicant has shown the installation <br /> of balsam fir trees and dogwood shrubs along the perimeter of the solar array to provide vegetative <br /> screening. The plantings are shown to be arranged with a row of balsam firs closest to the panels <br /> and dogwood shrubs in the front, when viewed from outside the array looking in. The ordinance <br /> requires that vegetative screening must be at least 6 feet tall at the time of planting. Staff will be <br /> requiring that the balsam firs planted will be 6 feet tall at the time of planting as a condition of <br /> approval. The dogwood shrubs are described in the landscape plan as having a maximum height <br /> of 4 feet. There is a portion of the vegetative buffer that crosses some wetlands, where the balsam <br /> fir cannot be planted. The applicant has shown a double row of dogwood shrubs in the portion of <br /> the vegetative buffer that crosses the wetlands. While this area of screening would not meet the 6 <br /> foot height requirement, staff is generally comfortable with the use of dogwood shrubs as a <br /> screening measure in the wetland areas. In addition to planting trees and shrubs for screening, the <br /> applicant has indicated that a substantial amount of existing vegetation will remain, including the <br /> 3 <br />