(A) Regulations established. To enable the development of renewable energy sources to further the city’s commitment to sustainability, this chapter 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 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 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 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) Financial assurance provided in a form acceptable to the city 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* | |
Category | Point Value |
Table A – Large Scale Solar Energy Conversion Facilities* | |
Category | Point Value |
Solar panel maximum height: | |
10 feet or less | -10 |
Equal to the zoning district maximum | +20 |
More than 10 feet and less than zoning district maximum | +10 |
Visual mitigation of public view: | |
Buffers to adjoining residential land uses: | |
Existing or new site feature will partially limit visibility | -10 |
Existing or new site feature will completely restrict visibility | -20 |
No buffer provided | +20 |
Not applicable | 0 |
Panels are clearly visible from all public viewpoints | +20 |
Panels are partially visible from a public viewpoint | -10 |
Panels are not visible from a public viewpoint | -30 |
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: | |
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 |
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 |
More than 2,500 square feet and less than 5,000 square feet | +5 |
Overhead utility mitigation: | |
Electrical and communication wire located underground | -10 |
*Only one point value is permitted in each category | |
(Prior Code, App. A, Art. IV, § 16) (Ord. 1354, passed 10-18-2021)