05/01/2023 ANNUAL TOWN MEETING - Laserfiche WebLink

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e. Locations of wetlands, vernal pools, and Priority Habitat Areas defined by the Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program (NHESP). f. Locations of floodplain area(s). g. Zoning district designation for the parcel(s) of land comprising the project site (submission of a copy of a zoning map with the parcel(s) identified is suitable for this purpose). h. Materials storage and delivery and equipment staging area(s). i. Location of screening vegetation or structures. E. Required Performance Standards — Medium and Large Scale Solar Energy Systems 1. Visual Impact Mitigation — The site plan for a ground -mounted solar energy system shall be designed to screen the array to the maximum extent practicable, on a year round basis, from adjacent properties in residential use and from all roadways. 2. All required setbacks shall be left in their undisturbed natural vegetated condition for the duration of the solar energy system's installation. In situations where the naturally vegetated condition within required setbacks is not wooded and does provide adequate screening of the solar array, the Planning Board may require additional intervention including, but not limited to: a. A landscaping plan showing sufficient trees and understory vegetation, of a type common in natural areas of Mashpee, to replicate a naturally wooded area and to constitute a visual barrier between the proposed array and neighboring properties and roadways. b. Berms along property lines and roadways with suitable plantings to provide adequate screening to neighboring properties and roadways. 3. Lighting_— Lighting of ground -mounted solar energy systems shall be limited to that required for safety and operational purposes, and shall be reasonably shielded from abutting properties. Lighting shall be directed downward and shall incorporate full cut-off fixtures to reduce light pollution. 4. Signage — Signs on ground -mounted solar energy systems shall comply with all applicable regulations of this bylaw and/or any Town sign bylaw. A sign shall be required to identify the owner, operator and interconnected utility and provide a 24-hour emergency contact phone number. Ground -mounted solar energy systems shall not be used for displaying any advertising signage. 5. Utility Connections — Within setback distances and except where soil conditions, location, property shape, and topography of the site or requirements of the utility provider prevent it, all utility connections from grid-intertie solar energy systems shall be placed underground. Electrical transformers for utility interconnections may be above ground if required by the utility provider. 6. Vegetation Management — All land associated with the ground -mounted solar energy system shall be covered and grown in natural vegetation. The height of vegetation must be managed by regular mowing or grazing so as to minimize the amount and height of combustible material available in case of fire. Herbicides, pesticides, or chemical fertilizers shall not be used to manage vegetation. To the greatest extent practicable, a diversity of plant species shall be used, with preference given to species that are native to New England. Use of plants identified by the most recent copy of the "Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List" maintained by the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources is prohibited. Management of all vegetated areas shall be maintained throughout the duration of the solar energy system's installation through mechanical means without the use of chemical herbicides. 7. Noise Generation — Noise generated by ground -mounted solar energy systems and associated equipment and machinery shall conform to applicable state and local noise regulations, including the DEP's Division of Air Quality noise regulations, 310 CMR 7.10. 8. Fencing — Fencing around solar arrays shall provide 6 inches of clearance between the fence bottom and the ground to allow passage of small wildlife. Clearance shall not exceed 6 inches unless otherwise approved by the Planning Board in its written decision for good cause. The Planning Board shall require