The standards below shall apply to any Solar Energy System in the Village installed after the effective date of this Chapter.
(a) Lighting. Solar Energy Systems shall be lit only if required by an applicable authority. Lighting of other parts of the Solar Energy Systems, such as appurtenant structures, shall be limited to that required for safety and operational purposes, and shall be reasonably shielded from abutting structures.
(b) Construction and Electrical Codes. To the extent applicable, Solar Energy Systems shall comply with all construction and electrical codes as evidenced by successful inspections by the Licking County Building Code Department.
(c) Flood Hazard Overlay District (FHOD). Any Solar Energy System in the FHOD shall comply with the provisions of Section 1177.06(e) of this Code.
(d) Appearance and Signage. The factory or original equipment manufacturer identification and/or logo are permitted. Required signage and emergency services disconnect placard shall be appropriate warning signs (Danger-High Voltage or Caution-Electrical Shock Hazard or any other recognized safety precaution signage) installed at the base of the Solar Array.
(e) Roof Applications. Roof-mounted Solar Energy Systems shall be permitted in all zoning districts provided the system complies with all other requirements of zoning and building regulations, subject to the following restrictions.
(1) Pitched roof-mounted arrays shall be parallel to the roof. The distance between the roof and the uppermost portion of the solar panels shall not exceed twelve (12) inches.
(2) Roof-mounted arrays shall be compliant with Ohio Building Code (OBC), National Electric Code (NEC), Ohio Fire Code (OFC), and International Fire Code (IFC) based on review and approval by the Granville Township Fire Chief or their designee.
(3) Roof-mounted panels on a flat roof shall not project vertically more than two feet from the surface of the roof and shall be buffered as much as practical so they are not visible from public streets or adjacent properties.
(f) Ground Applications. Ground-mounted Solar Energy Systems shall only be authorized as a primary use in the Institutional District and Planned Commercial District; and only be authorized as an accessory use in all districts. The requirements below shall apply.
(1) Ground-mounted Solar Energy Systems shall be considered a Conditional Use, and will be subject to the Conditional Use Permit process as outlined in Chapter 1145 of this Code.
(2) Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Systems shall meet accessory structure standards outlined in Section 1157.14 of this Code.
(3) Ground-mounted Solar Panels located on the ground or attached to a framework located on the ground shall not exceed ten (10) feet in height above the adjacent grade.
(4) All related mechanical equipment, other than the actual photoelectric panels shall be fully screened from the ground-level view of adjacent properties by materials or plantings as approved by the Planning and Development Department, and must be maintained and effective through the life of the Solar Energy System.
(5) The bounds of a ground-mounted Solar Energy System shall not exceed seventy percent (70%) of remaining area lot coverage.
(6) For sites larger than one (1) acre, Ground-Mounted Solar Energy System applications shall also include the following
A. Dust and weed mitigation plan, which describes the methods of controlling overgrowth of groundcover and production of dust or other airborne nuisances produced as a result of the Solar Energy System.
B. Reclamation plan addressing removal of Solar Energy System during decommissioning. and demonstrating the restoration of site to reasonably similar condition prior to development.
C. A surface drainage plan, prepared and stamped by a state-certified Professional Engineer.
D. Landscape plan, showing existing trees and shrubs, those to be removed, and those to be planted.
(g) Solar Energy Systems in the Architectural Review Overlay District (AROD). In order to maintain the historic character of the AROD, the additional standards below shall apply to installation of Solar Energy Systems in the AROD. These standards apply to both primary and accessory structures.
(1) Solar Energy Systems shall be installed in a manner which does not damage or obscure character-defining features of an historic resource. Solar Panels should be located so as not to change an historic roofline or obscure the relationship of an historic roof to character-defining features such as dormers and chimneys.
(2) Installation of any Solar Energy System must be reversable and not damage the historic integrity of any structure.
(3) Siting of Solar Panels in relation to the public right-of-way described below shall be considered an administrative review per Chapter 1161.
A. On a rear-facing roof of a primary structure
B. On accessory structures, and not readily visible from the right-of-way.
C. Rear yard location not readily visible from the public right-of-way.
D. On a side-facing side roof of any structure that is not readily visible from the right-of-way.
(4) Siting of Solar Panels in relation to the public right-of-way described below shall be subject to Planning Commission approval per Chapter 1161.
A. On any structure readily visible from the right-of-way.
B. In a side yard area and visible from the public right-of-way.
C. On a front-facing roof of a primary or accessory structure.
(5) Ground-Mounted Solar Energy Systems are not permitted in any front yard in the AROD.
(h) Community Solar Energy Systems are a permitted use in the Institutional District and Planned Commercial District, and are a conditional use in all other districts.
(Ord. 16-2022. Passed 12-7-22.)
The standards below shall apply to any Solar Energy System in the Village installed after the effective date of this Chapter and subsequently abandoned by the property owner.
(a) Upon abandonment or discontinuation of use, the owner shall physically remove the Solar Energy System within thirty (30) days from the date of abandonment or discontinuation of use. This period may be extended thirty (30) days at the request of the owner but only upon the approval of the Planning and Development Director. "Physically remove" shall include, but not be limited to:
(1) Removal of the Solar Energy System and related above grade structures.
(2) Restoration of the location of the solar energy system to its previous and/or natural condition, except that any landscaping and/or grading may remain in the after-conditions.
(3) Associated roof repairs shall be made within sixty (60) days of abandonment.
(Ord. 16-2022. Passed 12-7-22.)