2025.04.07 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Ordinance 2025-XX Amended Solar Energy Systems Ordinance (16) Solar farms (refer to section 90-278). Sec. 90-110. – Future central business district (FCB). Add the following to subsection (c): (c) Accessory uses. (7) Accessory solar energy systems (refer to section 90-278). Remove the following from subsection (d): (d) Conditional uses. (7) Solar energy systems (refer to section 90-278). The City Council of the City of Hugo does hereby amend Article VI REQUIREMENTS FOR SPECIFIC USES AND PERFORMANCE STANDARDS, Section 90-278 SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS, Subsection (d) SOLAR FARMS Amending items under Subsection (d) to read as follows: (d) Solar farms. (2) Performance standards for solar farms. (a) Solar farms shall be located on a minimum lot size of twenty acres within the Long Term Agricultural (LA), Agricultural (AG), Rural Residential (RR), and Future Urban Service (FUS) zoning districts. (b) Solar farms shall be 100 feet from all property lines, 200 feet from any public road rights- of-way, and 400 feet from any principal structure on adjacent properties. (c) Solar farms shall be located, insofar as possible, on a central portion of the property in order to minimize visual impact on adjacent properties and dwellings. (d) Solar farms shall be limited to a size of 5 acres, measured by the exterior edges of the solar array. (e) Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point when oriented at maximum tilt. (f) Solar farms shall be enclosed by approved perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative buffer for screening. The primary form of buffer for screening shall be at least 6-foot tall vegetation. Exception may be granted if the natural landscape provides screening from all public right of ways and neighboring properties. (g) All ground areas within the perimeter fencing of a solar farm that are not occupied by equipment or access paths shall be planted with deep rooted, native pollinator plantings. (h) Solar farm applications shall include a vegetation establishment and management plan which shall be reviewed and approved by staff. (i) The owner/ operator of the solar farm shall provide the City with evidence that the solar energy system is functioning properly. This shall be provided at any time deemed necessary by the City. (j) The owner/operator shall submit a decommissioning plan for the solar farm to ensure that the owner/operator properly removes the equipment and facilities upon the end of the