iredell county planning & development
TRANSCRIPT
IREDELL COUNTY PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT
SPECIAL USE PERMIT STAFF REPORT
BOA CASE# 180517-2
STAFF PROJECT CONTACT: Rebecca Harper
EXPLANTION OF THE REQUEST
The applicant is requesting a Special Use Permit per Chapter 3, R 65 of the Iredell County
Land Development Code in order to allow construction of a solar farm.
OWNER/APPLICANT
Owners: Paul & Linda Lowman Applicant: Frederik Thoring Flagstad
334 Lundy Road 1045 Tomlin Mill Solar, LLC
Statesville, NC 28625 1447 S. Tryon Street, Suite 201
Charlotte, NC 28203
PROPERTY INFORMATION
LOCATION: Tomlin Mill Road in Statesville,
NC; more specifically identified as PIN#
4759650060.000.
DIRECTIONS: I-77 north to Exit 59, turn right
on Tomlin Mill Road, property is on the left
across form the Lowes Distribution Center.
SURROUNDING LAND USE: This property is
surrounded by residential uses and the
Lowes Distribution Center.
SIZE: The property is 136.57 acres.
EXISTING LAND USE: The property
currently has one mobile home and the
rest is vacant.
ZONING: The property is currently zoned
RA (Residential Agricultural).
FINDINGS OF FACT
1. The request is for a Special Use Permit per Chapter 3, R 65 of the Iredell County
Land Development Code in order to allow construction of a solar farm.
2. The property is 136.57 acres located on Tomlin Mill Road in Statesville, NC; more
specifically identified as PIN# 4759650060.000.
3. The property is currently zoned RA (Residential Agricultural).
4. The application was filed on 3/30/18.
5. The adjoining property owners were notified on 4/23/18.
6. The property was posted on 4/23/18.
STAFF COMMENTS
This is the fourth request we have had for a solar farm since we added the use and
requirements to the Land Development Code in 2013. The information provided has
been reviewed and meets the requirements in Chapter 3, R 65 as well as the site plan
requirements. They have shown the required fence and emergency shut-off valve on the
site plan. A decommission plan has been provided with the application. The panels
meet the required 50 foot setback from the property lines as well as the 500 foot setback
from homes on adjoining tracts. They have also provided information concerning
signage and reflection for the project in the application. The solar panels will encompass
27 of the 136.57 acre tract and will be located on the back portion of the property. The
Lowes Distribution Center, which is zoned M-1 (Light Manufacturing) is located across
Tomlin Mill Road from the property.
EXIHIBITS
Staff Exhibit 1. Special Use Application
Staff Exhibit 2. Site Plan
Staff Exhibit 3. Chapter 3, R65
Staff Exhibit 4. Zoning Map
Staff Exhibit 5. 2017 Aerial Map
Staff Exhibit 3
Chapter 3: Performance Requirements
Solar Farms
A. Solar collection devices shall be designed and located to avoid glare or reflection
onto adjacent properties and adjacent roadways and shall not interfere with traffic
or create a safety hazard.
B. Solar farms shall not be located within an airport primary approach zone as described
in Section 4.6.1.
C. Solar devices within a solar farm must be enclosed by a fence at least six (6) feet in
height and must have clearly visible warning signage concerning voltage.
D. An emergency shut-off mechanism is required and notice of its location should be
submitted to Iredell County Emergency Management. The mechanism shall be
clearly identified and unobstructed and shall be noted clearly on the site plan.
E. No business signs, billboards, or other advertising shall be installed on a solar device.
F. The property owner shall have six (6) months to complete decommissioning of the
solar facility if no electricity is generated for a continuous period of twelve (12) months.
A project is properly decommissioned when all structures and equipment are
removed and the site is re-vegetated.
Applicant must submit decommissioning plans that describe the anticipated life of
the solar project, the party responsible for decommissioning, the estimated
decommissioning costs in current dollars, and the method for ensuring that funds will
be available for decommissioning and restoration.
G. The applicant shall be required to provide written documentation stating that the
facility is in compliance with all applicable Federal and State regulations.
Special Use Permit Worksheet
Finding Reasons/Evidence
The Special Use will not
materially endanger
the public health or
safety if located where
proposed and
developed according
to the plan as
proposed.
True: [If true, state the facts that make it true.]
False: [If false, state the facts that make it false.]
The Special Use meets
all required criteria and
specifications of the
Iredell County Land
Development Code.
True: [If true, state the facts that make it true.]
False: [If false, state the facts that make it false.]
The Special Use will not
substantially injure the
value of the adjoining
or abutting property or
it is a public necessity.
True: [If true, state the facts that make it true.]
False: [If false, state the facts that make it false.]
The Special Use will be
in harmony with the
area in which it is
located and will be in
general conformity with
the plan of
development of the
county.
True: [If true, state the facts that make it true.]
False: [If false, state the facts that make it false.]