A. To enable the development of renewable energy sources to further Spearfish's commitment to sustainability, these regulations are intended to mitigate any potential public safety and nuisance concerns and locate installations where visual impacts to adjoining land uses are minimized.
B. Standards for small scale solar energy conversion facilities.
1. The area regulations of setback, height, and lot coverage of the applicable zoning district apply to solar panels.
2. Where a maximum lot coverage is not specified in the applicable zoning district, the maximum solar panel footprint is two thousand five hundred (2,500) square feet.
3. Where a maximum building height for an accessory use is not specified in the applicable zoning district, the maximum height of a ground mounted solar panel is fifteen (15) feet above existing grade.
C. Standards for large scale solar energy conversion facilities.
1. Large scale solar energy conversion facilities will be evaluated by the points criteria of Table A and the conditional use permit criteria and approval process.
2. A total score of a maximum of ten (10) points from Table A is required.
3. The points in Table A are ineligible for modification through a variance request.
4. Fencing is required around all solar panels and related buildings and equipment.
5. A financial assurance provided in a form acceptable to the City of Spearfish shall be provided prior to the issuance of site construction permits to ensure future decommission of the panels and equipment and site restoration.
TABLE A – LARGE SCALE SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION FACILITIES
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CATEGORY
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POINT VALUE
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Only one point value is permitted in each category below
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TABLE A – LARGE SCALE SOLAR ENERGY CONVERSION FACILITIES
| |
CATEGORY
|
POINT VALUE
|
Only one point value is permitted in each category below
| |
SOLAR PANEL MAXIMUM HEIGHT | |
10 feet or less | -10 |
More than 10 feet and less than zoning district maximum | +10 |
Equal to the zoning district maximum | +20 |
VISUAL MITIGATION OF PUBLIC VIEW | |
Panels are not visible from a public viewpoint | -30 |
Panels are partially visible from a public viewpoint | -10 |
Panels are clearly visible from all public viewpoints | +20 |
BUFFERS TO ADJOINING RESIDENTIAL LAND USES | |
Existing or new site feature will completely restrict visibility | -20 |
Existing or new site feature will partially limit visibility | -10 |
Not applicable | 0 |
No buffer provided | +20 |
SETBACK TO ALL SOLAR PANELS, EQUIPMENT, AND STRUCTURES (MEASURED AT THE SHORTEST DISTANCE FROM ANY PROPERTY LINE) | |
100 feet or more | -20 |
50 feet or more and less than 100 feet | -10 |
Minimum of 25 feet and less than 50 feet | 0 |
SOLAR PANEL FOOTPRINT | |
More than 2,500 square feet and less than 5,000 square feet | +5 |
5,000 square feet or more and less than 10,000 square feet | +10 |
10,000 square feet or more and less than 25,000 square feet | +15 |
25,000 square feet or more and less than 1 acre | +20 |
1 acre or more and less than 5 acres | +25 |
5 acres or more and less than 10 acres | +30 |
10 acres or more and less than 20 acres | +35 |
20 acres or more | +40 |
OVERHEAD UTILITY MITIGATION | |
Electrical and communication wire located underground | -10 |
(Ord. No. 1354, 10-18-21)