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<br />DRAFT TEXT AMENDMENTS FOR SOLAR FARM PERFORMANCE STANDARDS <br /> <br />Amending items under Subsection (d) to read as follows: <br /> <br /> (d) Solar farms. <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 20 acres within the Long <br />Term Agricultural (LA), Agricultural (AG), Rural Residential (RR), and Future <br />Urban Service (FUS) zoning districts. Solar farms may also be located in any other <br />zoning district only in the floodplain, as long as all other conditions are met. <br />b. Solar farms shall be 100 feet from all property lines, 200 feet from all public road <br />rights-of-way, and 200 400 feet from any principal structure on adjacent properties. <br />c. Solar farms shall be located, insofar as possible, on a central portion of the property <br />in order to minimize visual impact on adjacent properties and dwellings. <br />dc. Solar farms shall be limited to a size of 5 acres, measured by the exterior edges of the <br />solar array. <br />ed. Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point <br />when oriented at maximum tilt. <br />fe. 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 />gf. 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 />hg. Solar farm applications shall include a vegetation establishment and management <br />plan which shall be reviewed and approved by staff. <br />ih. 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. <br />ji. The owner/operator shall submit a decommissioning plan for the solar farm to ensure <br />that the owner/operator properly removes the equipment and facilities upon the end of <br />the project life, abandonment, expiration, or termination of the interim use permit. If <br />the solar energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period <br />of 12 months, the system shall be deemed abandoned and shall constitute a public <br />nuisance. The owner shall remove the abandoned system at their expense after a <br />demolition permit has been obtained within 90 days after notice has been given. <br />Removal includes the entire structure including transmission equipment, structures