Sec. 25-447(c)(4)
Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
16 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Fencing & walls
- Minimum security fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft
The project area must be enclosed by security fencing not less than six (6) feet in height and equipped with appropriate anticlimbing device such as strands of barbed wire on top of the fence.
Landscaping & trees
- Minimum buffer tree heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. at planting3 ft
Such trees shall be at least three (3) feet tall at the time of planting and expected to grow to a minimum height of twenty (20) feet within ten (10) years.
- Buffer tree spacing15 ft
If no such barrier exists, the applicant shall establish this landscaped strip consisting of two (2) rows of staggered evergreens ten (10) feet apart and on fifteen (15) foot centers.
- Vegetative buffer width150 ft
The buffer must consist of a landscaping strip at least one hundred fifty (150) feet wide, located within the required setbacks and shall run around the entire perimeter of the project area.
Other
- Abandonment period12 months
Absent notice of a proposed date of decommissioning, the system shall be considered abandoned when the system fails to operate for more than one year without the written consent of the zoning administrator.
- Anti-glare and anti-reflective coating required
Solar energy facilities shall use panels that employ anti-glare technology and anti-reflective coatings that meet or exceed industry standards, to reduce glint and glare.
- Financial assurance amount above estimated cost10 pct
The surety shall be an amount approved by the zoning administrator, that is no less than the total estimated costs for decommissioning, removing and restoring the site as stated above, plus ten (10) percent of said estimated costs as a reasonable allowance for administrative costs, inflation, and potential damage to existing roads and utilities.
- Decommissioning timeline after discontinuation150 days
The owner or operator shall physically remove the wind system and restore the site no more than one hundred fifty (150) days after the date of discontinued operations.
- Decommissioning timeline after discontinuation12 months
The owner or operator shall physically remove the system and restore the site no more than twelve (12) months after the date of discontinued operations.
- Ground-mounted solar panel maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.12 ft
Ground-mounted panels and equipment shall not exceed a height of twelve (12) feet.
- Maximum site clearing per phase100 acresacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones.
Site clearing shall not exceed one hundred (100) acres for each phase of development.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. of ground-mounted solar facility20 ft
Ground-mounted minor and utility-scale solar energy facilities may not exceed a height of twenty (20) feet, which shall be measured from the highest natural grade below each solar panel.
- Minimum pollinator habitat area10 pct
At least ten (10) percent of the total acreage of the facility shall be cultivated in such a manner to encourage pollinator habitats in order to help maintain the rural, agricultural nature of the county.
- Roof-mounted solar panel maximum extension above roof5 ft
Roof-mounted solar energy facilities shall not extend more than five (5) feet above the highest point of the roof nor exceed the maximum permitted height in each use district.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from rights-of-way and property lines150 ft
All ground-mounted minor and utility-scale solar energy facilities shall be set back at least one hundred fifty (150) feet from all abutting public rights-of-way and from adjacent property lines.
- Power and communication lines must be buried
Power and communication lines running between ground-mounted solar panels, connection points at buildings, and other related equipment shall be buried underground.
From the ordinance
Solar energy facilities shall use panels that employ anti-glare technology and anti-reflective coatings that meet or exceed industry standards, to reduce glint and glare.