§ 13.5-6. Location.

(a)

All solar energy facilities must comply with the requirements established in the Carteret County Zoning Ordinance.

(b)

Improved areas shall not be located in any special flood hazard area as shown on the effective flood insurance rate map.

(c)

The maximum height of improved areas shall not exceed 15 feet from the average site grade.

(d)

Improved areas must be set back a minimum of 125 feet from all property lines.

(e)

All access roads and storage areas shall be established on a minimum 50 foot wide easement to a public right-of-way.

(f)

All solar energy facilities shall have a minimum 25 foot wide vegetative buffer with the following requirements:

(1)

A row of evergreens which are a minimum of six feet in height at the time of planting and are spaced not more than eight feet apart which at maturity will form an intermittent visual barrier to a height of 15 feet. Evergreens shall reach maturity within five years from planting. Evergreens shall be a species native to Eastern North Carolina; and

(2)

A separate row of shrubs that are dense, low-lying, continuous, and planted so as to visually fill-in the low-lying gaps between the trunks of the evergreens. Shrubs shall be a species native to Eastern North Carolina; and

(3)

A minimum six foot tall fence or wall that is constructed in a durable fashion of brick, vinyl, stone, other masonry materials or wood posts and planks or any combination of the previously mentioned materials. The fence or wall shall have a completely opaque surface. The finished side of the fence shall face the abutting property.

(g)

Solar energy facilities shall not be located with 1,500 feet of Marine Corps Auxiliary Landing Field (MCALF) Bogue, Marine Corps Outlying Field (MCOLF) Atlantic, and Bombing Target (BT) 11 Piney Island.

(Ord. of 11-20-17, Art. 6)