PLACEMENT: Public Hearings
TITLE:
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PUBLIC HEARING TO CONSIDER CHANGES TO ARTICLE 10, DEVELOPMENT REVIEW PROCEDURES, LAND DEVELOPMENT REGULATIONS, MARTIN COUNTY CODE, REGARDING THE THRESHOLD FOR REVIEW OF SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY:
executive summary
This is a request from Florida Power and Light (FPL) for a public hearing to consider adoption of an ordinance that amends Article 10, Development Review Procedures, Land Development Regulations, Martin County Code regarding the development threshold of Solar Energy Facilities.
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DEPARTMENT: Growth Management
PREPARED BY: Name: Peter Walden, AICP, CNU-A
Title: Deputy Growth Management Director
REQUESTED BY: Lucido and Associates, Morris A. Crady, AICP
PRESET:
PROCEDURES: None
BACKGROUND/RELATED STRATEGIC GOAL:
Article 10 outlines the development procedures for development in unincorporated Martin County as defined in Section 10.1 - General, of the Land Development Regulations (LDR). All procedures outlined in Article 10 must be consistent with the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan (CGMP).
In 2018, Ordinance #1067 was adopted which established development criteria for solar generating facilities or solar farms. Since the adoption of the ordinance, four solar farms have been approved by the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) totaling over 2,000 acres of facilities. Solar farms have proven to be a low impact alternative for agricultural lands that may be fallow or unproductive. Solar farms do not create any noise, smoke or environmental hazards and are considered open space by the Comprehensive Growth Management Plan (CGMP).
Currently, the application for a solar farm is determined to be a major development. The proposed ordinance would reduce the threshold of site plan approval to a minor development when all development criteria in Section 3.100.1, LDR have been met, which would be administratively approved by the Growth Management Director.
This matter was p...
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