Section 3.09 Agriculture and Forestry – Supplemental Use Standards
   3.09.1   ANIMAL PRODUCTION
   A.   Animal production may only occur on a lot exceeding two acres in size.
   B.   Not more than one animal unit shall be kept, maintained or stabled per 6,000 square feet of land.
   C.   All animals shall be fenced so that they are no closer than 100 feet from a dwelling unit on an adjacent property. This provision shall not apply if a dwelling unit is constructed so as to encroach upon an existing animal production use. However, an existing animal production use may not expand towards a newly established residential use.
   3.09.2   KENNELS, OUTDOOR
   A.   Any building or pen housing animals shall be located a minimum of 150 feet from any residentially zoned or developed property.
   B.   Areas used for exercising or training of animals shall be securely fenced to prevent the animals from straying.
   C.   All animal refuse and food shall be kept in airtight containers and disposed of on a regular basis.
   D.   Animal wastes shall not be stored within 150 feet of any property line or surface waters unless located indoors.
   E.   All such outdoor kennels and similar animal shelters shall be buffered from any adjoining residentially zoned property with a 50-foot buffer in accordance with Article IV .
   3.09.3   PRODUCE STANDS
   A.   Produce stands shall be permitted by the Administrator to operate on an individual parcel for a period of time not to exceed 90 consecutive days and no more than two events per calendar year.
   B.   Hours of operation shall be limited to 7:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
   3.09.4   SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM
   A.   All equipment shall be a minimum of a 100 feet from all property lines.
   B.   There shall be a 50-foot buffer area along all property lines.
   C.   The entire site shall be fenced, a minimum of six feet height and secured to reduce/eliminate trespassing.
   D.   A maximum height (not including power lines) for the solar panel arrays shall be no more than 15 feet.
   E.   Landscaping including vegetative buffers, security fences and gates shall be maintained for the duration of the solar farm operation, up to and including decommissioning.
   F.   Solar panels shall be constructed so as to minimize glare or reflection onto adjacent properties and roadways.
   G.   The Administrator shall be advised in writing within 30 days by the solar farm operator or property owners (whichever entity/party holds the development and building permits) in the event the project is sold or otherwise transferred to another entity/party and/or the current operator/owner abandons the project.
   H.   At the time of applying for permits the applicant (solar farm developer or property owner) shall include a decommissioning plan with the anticipated life expectancy of the solar farm and the anticipated cost in current dollars, as well as the method(s) of insuring that funds will be available for decommissioning and restoration of the project site to its original, natural condition prior to the solar farm development.
   I.   If the site is damaged, the solar farm operator shall have 12 months to bring the project back to its operational capacity. If for any reason the solar farm is not generating electricity after six months, the operator shall have six months to complete decommissioning of the solar farm.
   J.   In the event of bankruptcy or similar financial default of the solar farm, the property owner of the project site shall bear the decommissioning costs.
   K.   All solar farms shall be in compliance with the requirements of the most current State Building and Electrical Codes, the State of North Carolina and Harnett County.
   L.   Each solar farm shall be required to have the facility inspected annually for three years by the Administrator or his or her designee following the issuance of the permit to verify continued compliance with this ordinance.
(Ord. 2022-06, passed 7-13-2021)