Sec. 34-910
Dimensional standards
Lot
- Minimum lot areaMinimum lot areaThe smallest parcel on which the district allows anything to be built.
- 4,356,000 sq ftsq ftSquare feet. An acre is 43,560 sq ft; a typical suburban lot is 7,000–10,000. (100 acacre43,560 square feet — about the size of an American football field without the end zones.)
Uses
Conditional / special use1
Extracted standards
20 individual requirements pulled out of this section’s prose, each with the sentence it came from.
Height
- Maximum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. of highest edge of photovoltaic panels15 ft
The maximum height of the highest edge of photovoltaic panels shall not exceed 15 feet as measured from the finished grade.
- Minimum heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first. of lowest edge of photovoltaic panels10 ft
The maximum height of the lowest edge of photovoltaic panels shall be ten feet as measured from the finished grade.
Lighting
- Lighting direction
Lighting fixtures as approved by the county shall be the minimum necessary for safety and/or security purposes to protect the night sky by facing downward and to minimize off-site glare.
Noise
- Noise compliance
At all times, the solar facility shall comply with the county's noise regulations set forth in chapter 20, article III.
Other
Berms shall generally be constructed with a 3:1 side slope to rise ratio, four to six feet above the adjacent grade, with a three-foot-wide top.
- Decommissioning completion timeframe12 months
The site shall be graded and re-seeded or replanted within 12 months of removal of solar facilities.
- Decommissioning initiation timeframe6 months
Re-grading and re-seeding or replanting shall be initiated within a six-month period of removal of equipment.
- Herbicide setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from groundwater well150 ft
No herbicides shall be used within 150 feet of the location of an approved groundwater well.
- Inspection notice period24 hours
The applicant will allow designated county representatives or employees access to the facility for inspection purposes with 24-hour notice.
- Liability insurance required
The applicant shall provide proof of adequate liability insurance for a solar facility prior to beginning construction.
- Maximum acreage coverage65 pct
The percent of acreage coverage shall not exceed 65 percent.
- Minimum buffer width when using existing wetlands/woodlands150 ft
The overall buffer shall measure at least 150 feet.
- Minimum security fence heightMaximum heightThe tallest a building may be, given in feet, in storeys, or both — whichever binds first.6 ft
The facilities shall be enclosed by security fencing not less than six feet in height.
- Native ground cover required
Ground cover on the site shall be native vegetation and maintained in accordance with the landscaping plan.
- Opaque fence solid percentage75 pct
Fencing intended for screening shall be at least 75 percent visually solid.
- Tree row spacing15 ft
A triple row of trees shall be placed on average at 15 feet on center.
- Vegetative screening strip width50 ft
new plantings shall be provided in a landscaped strip at least 50 feet wide.
- Wildlife corridors required
The applicant shall identify access corridors for wildlife to navigate through and across the solar facility.
Setback
- Vehicular access setbackSetbackThe distance a building must be held back from a lot line. from dwelling50 ft
Vehicular access to the site shall be a minimum of 50 feet from the nearest dwelling located on adjacent property.
Signage
- Signage restriction
No signage of any type may be placed on the facility other than notices, warnings, and identification information required by law.
From the ordinance
The minimum area of a utility-scale solar facility shall be 100 acres or more. The percent of acreage coverage shall not exceed 65 percent. The maximum height of the highest edge of photovoltaic panels shall not exceed 15 feet as measured from the finished grade.