2026-025 - Approve amendments to Exhibit 9B, Zoning Ordinance - repeal and replacement of Section 29, Solar Farms, to establish regulations governing Utility

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the same property. A Utility -Scale Solar Energy Facility may include ground -mounted solar arrays, photovoltaic panels, racking systems, collector lines, inverters, transformers, substations, switchgear, transmission or distribution infrastructure, Battery Energy Storage Systems, maintenance buildings, access roads, security fencing, supervisory control systems, and related accessory equipment. A facility shall be considered utility -scale if it: (a) occupies more than ten (10) acres of land area; or (b) has a generating capacity exceeding five (5) megawatts alternating current (AC); or (c) is developed primarily for off-site sale, wholesale power markets, utility interconnection, or commercial energy generation rather than to serve a lawful principal use on the same property. Separate phases, contiguous tracts, leased areas, commonly controlled properties, or related facilities developed as part of a common plan of development shall be considered a single facility for purposes of determining applicability. 29.4 District eligibility. (a) Utility -Scale Solar Energy Facilities may be considered only by approval of a Specific Use Permit (SUP*) within the following zoning districts: 1. Light Industrial (LI); and 2. Heavy Industrial (HI). (b) Utility -Scale Solar Energy Facilities shall not be permitted in any other zoning district. (c) Utility -Scale Solar Energy Facilities shall not be permitted in the Agricultural (A) District. Property located in the Agricultural (A) District must first be rezoned to an eligible zoning district before any Utility -Scale Solar Energy Facility may be considered. (d) Rezoning of property from Agricultural (A) District or any other ineligible zoning district to an eligible zoning district shall not create any entitlement to approval of a Utility -Scale Solar Energy Facility. Any required SUP*, site plan, plat, engineering approval, utility approval, building permit, fire permit, electrical permit, certificate of occupancy or completion, development agreement, and other City approvals shall remain independently required. 29.5 SUP* required. (a) All Utility -Scale Solar Energy Facilities shall require approval of a SUP*.