Sec. 4-609
Dimensional standards
Extracted standards
14 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Height
Battery energy storage systems shall not exceed a height of 30 feet, except for structures associated with interconnection to the electrical grid.
Lighting
- Motion-sensor lighting required
Lighting of any battery energy storage system shall be limited to that minimally required for safety and operational purposes and all lighting shall be exclusively motion-sensor activated.
Noise
- Maximum noise at occupied structure in AR55 dBA
and shall not exceed 55 dBA at the outer wall of any occupied structure on an adjacent parcel in the AR district in existence at the time the project receives its conditional use permit.
- Maximum noise at property line65 dBA
The average noise generated from the battery energy storage systems, components, and associated ancillary equipment at any time shall not exceed a noise level of 65 dBA as measured from the property line of an adjoining parcel
Other
- Buffer clearance around fenceline20 ft
A minimum 20 foot buffer shall be established around the perimeter of the battery energy storage system's fenceline and such buffer shall be cleared of combustible vegetation and other combustible growth.
- Vegetative buffer width in A-R100 ft
Battery energy storage systems located in the A-R district shall be fully screened on all sides from ground-level view by a vegetative buffer of at least 100 feet located within the required setbacks, except for facilities located within or adjacent to parcels zoned industrial, or adjacent to a parcel with an electric substation located on the same side of the road.
- Decommissioning required
Decommissioning shall be implemented upon abandonment and/or in conjunction with removal from the facility due to the end of its useful life which results in a permanent ceasing of operations.
- Emergency response plan required
Prior to final site plan approval, an emergency response plan shall be developed in coordination with the Surry County Chief of Emergency Management and/or the fire marshal
- Security fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.8 ft
Battery energy storage systems shall be enclosed by a security fence at least eight feet in height or other greater height as required by applicable codes or design requirements of the operating entity.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from property lines in A-R districtZoning districtA mapped area with one set of rules, identified by a code like R-1 or B-2.200 ft
In the A-R District: Be located at least 200 feet from all property lines, unless the adjacent parcel is zoned industrial, has an electric substation to which the battery energy storage system will connect and is located on the same side of the road, or is an adjacent parcel owned or leased by the battery energy storage system's owner or operator.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from residential and commercial structures in A-R500 ft
Be located 500 feet from all residential and commercial structures.
- SetbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from property lines in M-1/M-275 ft
In the M-1 and M-2 District: Be located a minimum of at least 75 feet from all property lines and otherwise comply with all minimum height, bulk, setback, and yard requirements of the underlying district.
- Transportation and traffic control plan required
Prior to site plan approval, the applicant or project owner shall prepare and submit such a plan to the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) and the county for review and approval.
Signage
- Signage restrictions
No advertising of any type may be placed on a battery energy storage system or related facility, except that a sign shall be required displaying the name, registration number, and emergency contact number of the facility owner. The sign shall not exceed four square feet in size and shall be located on the security fence or other approved location.
From the ordinance
Battery energy storage systems shall comply with the following minimum setback requirements: In the A-R District: Be located at least 200 feet from all property lines... In the M-1 and M-2 District: Be located a minimum of at least 75 feet from all property lines...