Section 7-7-9
Dimensional standards
Uses
Permitted by right1
Conditional / special use1
- special exception required if land disturbance >= 2,500 sq ft
Extracted standards
8 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Design
- Lowest surface of panel maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. above grade4 ft
The lowest surface of any panel shall be a maximum of 4 ft. above the finished grade on which the panel is located.
Height
- Ground-mounted heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. limit15 ft
If the small-scale solar energy facility is ground-mounted or not flush-mounted on a principal or accessory building, the facility's height shall not exceed 15 ft. at the tallest point.
- Roof-mounted heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. limit
If the small-solar energy facility is roof-mounted or otherwise integrated into a principal or accessory building, the facility's height shall not exceed the maximum height limit of the district in which it is located.
Other
- Maximum generation500 kW
Maximum generation of 500 kilowatts (KW).
- Landscaping and screening to block visibility
Landscaping and screening shall be provided for ground mounted solar to block visibility of the panel(s) and ancillary equipment from adjacent properties.
- 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 small-scale solar facility that has 2,500 sq. ft. or more of land disturbance for ground mounted panels shall require a Special Exception.
- Wiring underground except to connect to public utilityPublic utilitiesInfrastructure serving the wider area — substations, pump stations, towers.
All wiring not on the solar arrays shall be underground except where necessary to connect to the public utility.
Setback
- Comply with districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2. setbacksSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line.
The solar energy facility shall comply with all setback requirements of the district in which it is located. Regardless of whether a medium-scale solar facility is accessory to another use on the lot, all medium-scale solar facilities shall comply with the district's principal structure setbacks.
From the ordinance
Maximum generation of 500 kilowatts (KW). ... If the small-scale solar energy facility is ground-mounted or not flush-mounted on a principal or accessory building, the facility's height shall not exceed 15 ft. at the tallest point. ... Any small-scale solar facility that has 2,500 sq. ft. or more of land disturbance for ground mounted panels shall require a Special Exception.