City of Gainesville - File #: 090321.

• File #: 090321.
• Version: 1
• Name: AMEND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ADD SOLAR GENERATION STATION AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE AGRICULTURE ZONING DISTRICT (B)
• Type: Ordinance
• Status: Adopted
• File created: 9/17/2009
• In control: City Attorney
• Final action: 7/15/2010
• Title: AMEND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ADD SOLAR GENERATION STATION AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE AGRICULTURE ZONING DISTRICT (B) Ordinance No. 0-09-66; Petition No. PB-09-77TCH An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Land Development Code of the City of Gainesville, by defining "solar generation station"; by adding "solar generation station" to the list of permitted uses in the Agriculture zoning district (AGR) and the General Industrial zoning district (I-2); by adding "solar generation station" to the list of specially regulated uses and imposing conditions on the use; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

Date	Ver.	Action By	Action	Result
7/15/2010	1	City Commission	Adopted on Final Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
7/1/2010	1	City Commission	Adopted on First Reading (Ordinance)	Pass
9/17/2009	0	City Commission	Approved (Petition)	Pass

title
AMEND THE LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE TO ADD SOLAR GENERATION STATION AS A PERMITTED USE IN THE AGRICULTURE ZONING DISTRICT (B)

Ordinance No. 0-09-66; Petition No. PB-09-77TCH
An ordinance of the City of Gainesville, Florida, amending the Land Development Code of the City of Gainesville, by defining "solar generation station"; by adding "solar generation station" to the list of permitted uses in the Agriculture zoning district (AGR) and the General Industrial zoning district (I-2); by adding "solar generation station" to the list of specially regulated uses and imposing conditions on the use; providing directions to the codifier; providing a severability clause; providing a repealing clause; and providing an immediate effective date.

recommendation
The City Commission adopt the proposed ordinance.

explanation
PLANNING AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT STAFF REPORT

This ordinance defines "solar generation station" and allows such use by right in the Agriculture zoning district subject to certain design, environmental and safety requirements.

Planning staff developed this ordinance with input from GRU Strategic Planning staff in response to the City Commission's approval, on May 7, 2009, of the Community Development Committee's recommendation to allow development of solar fields by right within areas of the City with agricultural zoning.

The land development code currently allows solar power generation as a use by right in the General Industrial (I-2) zoning district under the SIC Code Division E (which includes electric services). To comply with the definitions and rules of construction in the Land Development Code, this ordinance adds "solar generation station" to the list of permitted uses in the I-2 zoning district so that it will continue to be a permitted use by right.

In addition, city staff currently interprets the Land Development Code to allow homes and businesses to have solar devices that produce power for net meterin...