2016.01.04 CC Packet - Laserfiche WebLink

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Solar Energy Systems Page 2 2. SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE: A. Solar Energy Systems Ordinance The purpose of this section is to allow for the generation of renewable energy within the City of Hugo. Promoting the safe, effective, and efficient use of solar energy, may reduce the onsite consumption of fossil fuels and utility -supplied electric energy while avoiding adverse impacts on the community at large. The ordinance will allow for solar farms and accessory solar energy systems under certain standards. B. General Standards The ordinance outlines general standards for solar energy systems that are required for both solar farms and accessory solar energy systems. Some of these requirements are the labelling of the solar energy system, the property owner securing any desired solar energy easement to protect solar access, and that all solar energy systems be in compliance with adopted City and State building code, electrical code, and plumbing code. C. Solar Farm The solar farm subsection provides performance standards for solar energy systems that are composed of multiple solar panels where the primary or a significant land use, whether by footprint or visual impact, of the parcel is for a solar array. An interim use permit application is required to be submitted for approval by the Planning Commission and City Council before a building permit is issued for a solar farm. Some of the performance standards include locating a solar farm on a minimum lot size of 10 acres within the Long Term Agricultural (LA), Agricultural (AG), Rural Residential (RR), and Future Urban Service (FUS) zoning districts or in any other zoning district within the floodplain, a 50 foot setback from all property lines and public road right-of-ways, and a decommissioning plan with financial security. D. Accessory Solar Energy System The accessory solar energy system subsection is structured to apply to solar energy systems composed of a single or multiple solar panels that are accessory to the primary land use. For example, roof mounted systems on a residential home or commercial building or even a small pole mounted system in a resident's back yard. An accessory solar energy system is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power. A building permit shall be issued for an accessory solar energy system. All commercial or industrial accessory solar energy systems will require submittal for approval by City staff under certain standards. Denial of a building permit request may be appealed to the Planning Commission by following the procedures outlined in the interim use permit section of the code. The performance standards for the accessory solar energy system follow similar guidelines for accessory structures in regards to setbacks, size of the system, and location requirements. Other performance standards stipulate that roof -mounted systems are not accessory structures and are