Large scale solar energy systems shall comply with the provisions of this section, as well as the provisions of Section 1477.08 applicable to mid scale solar energy systems and the provisions pertaining to solar energy systems and PV arrays generally. Provided, the provisions of this section shall only be applicable to large scale solar energy systems.
(a) The permit application shall contain, at a minimum, the following:
(2) A statement of the date and location of the planned meeting required under subsection (c) of this section, which date shall be not less than seven days, nor more than sixty days after the date of filing the application.
(3) If the proposed site is more than five acres, an Ecological Compliance Assessment Tool (EcoCAT) report from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources conducted within two years prior to the filing of the application, indicating that there are no threatened or endangered species or natural areas in the vicinity of the project, or, if so, that adverse effects are unlikely pursuant to the proposed site plan or other measures taken to address concerns raised by the consultation.
(4) A plan for operation and maintenance of the solar energy system, setting forth, at a minimum, the following:
A. Measures for maintaining safe and secure access to the site;
B. General procedures for operational maintenance of the site;
C. An emergency response plan, approved by the City Fire Chief;
D. Stormwater management plans;
E. Landscape maintenance plans and arrangements;
F. On-site staffing, if applicable.
(5) A decommissioning plan for removal of all PV arrays and equipment upon cessation of operations, indicating the party financially responsible for such removal.
(b) A public meeting shall be held by the applicant prior to the approval of any application for the construction of a large scale solar energy system, in accordance with the provisions of this section:
(1) The meeting shall be held at a suitable location with the corporate limits of the City of Freeport.
(2) All owners of property directly adjacent to the property on which the large solar energy system is to be constructed shall be provided notice of the meeting in the form required by subsection (4) hereof, via certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to the owner of each such property as indicated upon the Stephenson County Assessor's records as of the date of mailing, at the address so indicated for such persons, of the date and time of the meeting. A copy of said notice shall also be provided to the Community Development Director. The applicant shall provide all original certified mail receipts to the Community Development Director upon receipt.
(3) In addition to the mailed notice required under subsection (b)(2) above, a notice shall published no less than one time in a newspaper of general circulation within the City of Freeport in the form required by subsection (b)(4).
(4) The notice required by this section shall be in substantially the following form:
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that [Applicant] is requesting the issuance of a building permit for the construction of a Solar Energy System exceeding one acre in total coverage, at [Address of Site]. A meeting to present discuss the site plan and provide an opportunity for public comment will be held at [Location of Meeting], at [Date and Time of Meeting]. THIS WILL BE YOUR ONLY OPPORTUNITY TO PRESENT CONCERNS OR OBJECTIONS TO THE PROJECT.
(5) At the time and place of the meeting, the applicant (or an appropriate representative thereof if applicant is a business entity) shall be present and provide a detailed explanation of the proposed project, which shall include, at a minimum:
A. A copy of a completed permit application, including a full-sized site plan, in the form and containing all of the information required for the permit application by Section 1477.09(a), available for review by attendees for a reasonable time before and after the meeting.
B. An opportunity for attendees to ask questions, and answers thereto provided in a meaningful and informative manner.
C. Contact information for the applicant, or applicant's representative responsible for public inquiries, for the purpose of registering concerns or issues regarding construction, maintenance, or operations.
D. Contact information for the Community Development Director.
(Ord. 2018-40. Passed 9-17-18.)