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<br /> <br /> <br /> Created: 2025-05-22 16:40:53 [EST] <br />(Supp. No. 36) <br /> <br />Page 165 of 198 <br />(4) All exterior electrical or other service lines shall be buried underground. The collection system may be <br />placed overhead near substations or points of interconnection to the electrical grid. Exceptions may be <br />granted in instances where shallow bedrock, water courses, or other elements of the natural landscape <br />interfere with the ability to bury lines. <br />(5) All solar energy systems shall be in compliance with the adopted city and state building code, electrical <br />code, and plumbing code, as amended and receive any necessary permits or approvals from any <br />regulatory agency having jurisdiction. <br />(d) Solar farms. <br />(1) An interim use permit application must be submitted for approval by the planning commission and city <br />council before a permit is issued for a solar farm. The information required and the procedure to be <br />followed for all solar farm interim use permit applications shall be the same as that required for a <br />conditional use permit set forth in subsections 90-37(a) and (b). In addition, the applicant shall submit <br />supplementary 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 lines and <br />proposed fencing or vegetative buffer. <br />e. Decommissioning plan. <br />(2) Performance standards for solar farms: <br />a. Solar farms shall be located on a minimum lot size of 20 acres within the Long Term Agricultural <br />(LA), Agricultural (AG), Rural Residential (RR), and Future Urban Service (FUS) zoning districts. <br />b. Solar farms shall be 100 feet from all property lines, 200 feet from any public road rights-of-way, <br />and 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 in order to <br />minimize visual impact on adjacent properties and dwellings. <br />d. Ground mounted solar energy systems shall not exceed 15 feet in height at any point when <br />oriented at maximum tilt. <br />e. Solar farms shall be enclosed by approved perimeter fencing or adequate vegetative buffer for <br />screening. The primary form of buffer for screening shall be at least six-foot tall vegetation. <br />Exception may be granted if the natural landscape provides screening from all public right of <br />ways and neighboring properties. <br />f. All ground areas within the perimeter fencing of a solar farm that are not occupied by equipment <br />or access paths shall be planted with deep rooted, native pollinator plantings. <br />g. Solar farm applications shall include a vegetation establishment and management plan which <br />shall be reviewed and approved by staff. <br />h. The owner/operator of the solar farm shall provide the city with evidence that the solar energy <br />system is functioning properly. This shall be provided at any time deemed necessary by the city. <br />1. The owner/operator shall submit a decommissioning plan for the solar farm to ensure that <br />the owner/operator properly removes the equipment and facilities upon the end of the <br />project life, abandonment, expiration, or termination of the interim use permit. If the solar <br />energy system remains nonfunctional or inoperative for a continuous period of 12 months,