Section 7-7-10
Dimensional standards
Lot
Extracted standards
18 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Environmental
- Wetlands, waterways, and floodplains shall be avoided
Wetlands, waterways, and floodplains shall be avoided.
Height
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for other structures40 ft
Maximum height of 25 ft. for solar panels and 40 ft. for other structures.
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. for solar panels15 ft
If the utility-scale solar energy facility is ground-mounted, the facility's height shall not exceed 15 ft. at the tallest point, including appurtenances.
Noise
- Noise limit at property line60 dBA
During operation, a utility-scale solar facility shall not produce a noise level that exceeds 60 dBA as measured at the property line or 50 dBA as measured at the nearest neighboring dwelling.
Other
- Buffer width100 ft
The buffer shall be located within the setbacks required under this Section and shall run around the entire perimeter of the property... must comply with Buffer Type C in Table VIII-2, except that the minimum buffer width shall be 100 feet wide.
- Decommission and Reclamation plan required
All applications for a utility-scale solar energy facility shall require a Decommission and Reclamation plan, as provided in 7-7-10 (N), below.
- Security fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft
All security fencing shall be a minimum of 6 ft. in height and topped with razor/barbed wire, as appropriate.
- Groundwater monitoring required
Ground water monitoring to assess the level of groundwater contamination shall take place prior to, and upon completion of construction of the project, throughout the entire area of the solar facility.
- Minimum distance between utility-scale solar facilities2 miles
No utility-scale solar facility shall be located within two miles of another existing or permitted utility-scale solar facility unless they are part of a contiguous 'solar farm.'
- Minimum generation5 MW
Minimum generation of 5 megawatts (5 MW).
- Soil testing required
Soil testing shall occur to establish baseline data for pre-construction soil conditions within the project area and throughout the life of the project.
- Land disturbance threshold for special exception2,500 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Any utility-scale solar facility that has 2,500 sq. ft. or more of land disturbance for ground mounted panels shall require a Special Exception.
- Wildlife corridors required
The utility-scale solar facility shall provide access corridors for wildlife to navigate through the facility, at a number and design based on the Department of Wildlife Resources' guidance and acceptable to the County.
Setback
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from property lines100 ft
All solar panels, structures, and equipment shall be located a minimum of 100 ft. from all property lines.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from public right-of-way50 ft
All solar panels, structures, and equipment shall be located a minimum of 50 ft. from any public right-of-way.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from residential dwelling not on parcel200 ft
All solar panels, structures, and equipment shall be located a minimum of 200 ft. from any residential dwelling not located on the same parcel.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from water supply100 ft
All solar panels, structures, and equipment shall be located a minimum of 100 ft. from any river, creek, spring, reservoir, or any public or private water supply system...
Signage
- Maximum sign area40 sqftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000.
Signage shall not exceed 40 sq. ft. displaying the facility name, address, and emergency contact information, unless additional signage is required by National Electric Safety Code.
From the ordinance
Minimum lot area of 10 acres.