AGENDA ITEM# ____ 1 ___ 0 __ PGCPB MEETING OF _____ 9 ___ /1 __ 9/ __ 1"-9 _

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission Prince George's County Planning Department Countywide Planning Division 301-952-3650 Note: Staff reports can be accessed at www.pgplanning.org/planning.home.htm

M an d t a ory Rfi e erra I MR 1826F -Application General Data

Project Name: PR24 Solar Energy System Project Planning Board Hearing Date: 9/19/19

Location: Date Accepted: 7/31/19 l 7205 Mill Branch Place

Bowie, MD 20716 Mandatory Action Timeframe: 60-Day Review

The project site is located at the northeast Acreage: 111.23-acre site quadrant of the intersection of Mill Branch Road

and Mill Branch Place. Zone: O-S

Applicant/ Address: TPE MD24, LLC Planning Area: PA 74B 999 18th Street, Suite 300 Denver, Colorado 80202 General Plan Tier: Rural/ Agricultural Area

Property Owner: Council District: District 4 Merton Canter l 7205 Mill Branch Place Municipality: NIA Bowie, MD 20716

Purpose of Application Notice Date The applicant seeks to construct a 2MW solar Acceptance Mailing: August 2, 2019 energy system on approximately 15 acres of a 111.23-acre site zoned O-S.

Staff Recommendation Staff Reviewers:

Transmit Staff Report to: Crystal Saunders Hancock, Acting Planning Supervisor Mr. Adam Beal, Executive Vice President Theodore Kowaluk, Planner Coordinator TPE MD PR24, LLC Phone Number: 301-952-3634 999 18th Street, Suite 3000 301-952-3209 Denver, CO 80202 Email: Crystal.Hancock@ppd.mncppc.org

ted .kowaluk@ppd.mncppc.org

Map 1 - Project Site

Map 2 - General Project Location Map

2

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Created:August 13. 2019

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Created:August 13. 20i9

THE MARYLAND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY PLANNING BOARD

STAFF REPORT

Subject: Mandatory Referral (MR-1826F) PR97 Solar Energy System Project

The subject project for a solar array is being reviewed pursuant to the Land Use Article §§20-301 through 305 of the Maryland Annotated Code and Section 27-294 of the Prince George ' s County Zoning Ordinance which require the Planning Board to review public construction projects for all federal , state, county and municipal governments, and publicly and privately-owned utilities through the Mandatory Referral (MR) review process.

The proposed solar project is a Community Solar Energy Generation System of 2.0 MW or less and therefore does not require a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). The Prince George ' s Planning Board will forward its recommendations to the applicant.

PROJECT OVERVIEW

SITE DESCRIPTION The subject project area is comprised of Parcel 7 ( 111.23 ac) and is zoned O-S. The entire property is addressed as 17205 Mill Branch Place, Bowie, Maryland. The property is located at the northeast quadrant of the intersection of Mill Branch Road and Mill Branch Place. The site is not located within the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area. The site is characterized by open agricultural fields with three woodland areas along an existing stream channel.

BACKGROUND The subject property was and is currently used as a homestead and for agricultural purposes. The site has an approved Natural Resource Inventory and Wood land Conservation Letter of Exemption. There are no records of any previous development applications.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION The applicant, TPE MD24, LLC proposes the installation of a ground-mounted solar array on 15 .0 acres of the 111.23-acre property. The total output of the proposed project is 2.0 MW and has been accepted by Baltimore Gas and Electric (BG&E) under the PSC's Community Solar Program.

The solar panels wi ll be constructed on prev iously used open agricultural fields and will be connected to the BG&E distribution grid infrastructure. The project entails installing photovoltaic panels, a fixed tilt racking system supported by driven steel piles, power inverters and other electrical and interconnection equipment. The panels will have a maximum height of approximately nine feet and will be arranged in rows with approximately ten feet or more of space between each row. The panel and inverter manufacturer will be selectively based on availability at the time of procurement. The entire property is to be enclosed by a six-foot high, black metal or black vinyl-coated, non­reflective, chain link perimeter fence topped with three strands of barbed wire. The site contains a few existing woodland buffers that will provide adequate screening. Where there are breaks in the existing buffers the applicant is proposing landscape buffers and augmentation to existing buffers in accordance with the requirements of the 2010 Prince George ' s County Landscape Manual sections: 4.4 Screening Requirements, 4.6 Buffering Development from Special Roadways, 4.7 Buffering Incompatible Uses, and 4.9 Sustainable Landscape Requirements.

A review of the proposed design indicates the project will not result in any loss of woodland or prime agricultural land.

3

PROJECT SCHEDULE/HOURS OF OPERATION Development of the site is anticipated to be completed within five months once the Mandatory Referral process has been completed. The applicant offered no information regarding the hours of operation during construction. Local labor and resources are proposed where possible. Upon completion of the construction phase and once the site is in full operation under normal conditions, staff is expected to be on site periodically as required for maintenance.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH Planning Department: Notification letters were mailed to adjoining property owners and area civic associations. To da'te, no citizens have called with questions about the project.

Applicant: The applicant engaged a local firm, G.S. Proctor and Associates, to conduct community outreach regarding the proposed project. The applicant directly notified various stakeholders in government, business, religious, civic, community and HOA groups, as well as several long-time area residents. G.S. Proctor canvassed 86 area homes and experienced overall support for the project.

PROJECT ANALYSIS

The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, Prince George ' s County Planning Department staff provide the following comments:

1. CONFORMANCE WITH THE 2018 ADOPTED PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEMS (SES) GUIDELINES for MANDATORY REFERRAL CASES The proposed project is consistent with SES Guidelines regarding Woodland Conservation. The application does not propose the clearing of woodland for the installation of the system. The applicant has a Letter of Exemption from the Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance (E-008-2019) dated May 6, 2019. The applicant proposes to place the SES only on the previously disturbed and developed areas of the site. The applicant is proposing to plant a low-growth herbaceous cover with pollinator value beneath the solar panel which qualifies as a dual-use land-design that preserves productive farmland.

2. CONSISTENCY WITH APPROVED PLANS This application is consistent with the 2014 Plan Prince George 's 2035 Approved General Plan (Plan 2035) which designates this application in the Rural and Agricultural Areas, because Plan 2035 encourages investment in energy infrastructure and renewable energy and encourages the generation of low-carbon and clean, renewable energy sources.

This application is not consistent with the Rural land use recommendations for the 2006 Approved Master Plan and Sectional Map Amendment for Bowie and Vicinity for Planning Areas 71A, 71B, 74A, and 74B which retained the O-S Zone (Open-Space) on the subject property. The vision for the Rural and Agricultural Areas is to promote low-density residential development, agricultural activity, and forest preservation. However, the applicant is proposing a dual-use land-design concept to preserve productive farmland by maintaining and planting an herbaceous cover with pollinator value under the panels.

3. CONSISTENCY WITH DEVELOPMENT/REGULATORY STANDARDS The project is exempt from the requirements of the 2010 Prince George' s County Landscape Manual. The Urban Design Section notes that the site would normally be required to demonstrate conformance with the following sections: 4.2 Requirements for Landscape Strips Along Streets, 4.7 Buffering Incompatible Uses, and 4.9 Sustainable Landscaping Requirements.

4

The site contains a number of existing wooded buffers that will provide adequate screening. Where there are breaks in the existing buffers the applicant is proposing landscape buffers and augmentation to existing buffers in accordance with the requirements of the 2010 Prince George's County Landscape Manual sections: 4.4 Screening Requirements, 4.6 Buffering Development from Special Roadways, 4.7 Buffering Incompatible Uses, and 4.9 Sustainable Landscape Requirements.

4. ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT The site has an approved Natural Resources Inventory Plan and a numbered Letter of Exemption (E-008-2019) from the Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance has been issued because no woodlands are proposed to be cleared.

The site contains wetlands, a regulated stream, 100-year floodplain and steep slopes associated with the stream. There are no rare, threatened or endangered species mapped on or in the vicinity of the site based on PG Atlas findings. The site is in the Upper Patuxent River basin and in Environmental Strategy Area 3 of the Regulated Environmental Protection Areas Map as designated by 2014 Plan Prince George 's 2035 Approved General Plan. The site does not contain potential Forest Interior Dwelling Species habitat. The 2005 Approved Countywide Green Infrastructure Plan shows that a significant portion of the property contains Regulated and Evaluation areas, associated with the regulated environmental features.

5. Soils: According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey, the predominant soils found to occur on this site with the proposed solar array site include Collington-Wist complex (5-10 percent slopes) and Collington-Wist complex (10-15 percent slopes.) Marlboro clays or Christiana complexes are not found on or near this property. However, according to the Adopted Uniform Standards for Mandatory Referral Review in Prince George ' s County, Attachment 3: Location Restrictions; the site is in an O-S zone which is subject to additional guidelines that state that the least productive soils, classified as class V-VIII should be considered first if buildable. This site classifies the soils on the sites in Land Capability Classes III and IV.

6. TRANSPORTATION ASSESSMENT & DRIVEWAY ACCESS The 2009 Approved Countywide Master Plan a/Transportation classifies Crain Highway (US 301) as a master plan freeway facility with a proposed right-of-way of 300 to 450 feet and six to eight lanes. It is noted that all proposed structures are outside of the ultimate right-of-way.

Access to the solar array is located on Mill Branch Road . A 22-foot wide gravel driveway will be constructed to allow access into the facility. The site currently has one access road that is expected to remain. Access and circulation are acceptable.

7. HISTORIC PRESERVATION/ARCHEOLOGY The subject property does not contain and is not adjacent to any Prince George' s County historical sites or resources. One documented property was identified on the subject property, Samuel Hamilton House (PG:74B-5). The Samuel Hamilton House is side-gabled, and two-and-one-half-story dwelling of frame construction. The house was built by Samuel H. Hamilton sometime after his purchase of 118.5 acres of farmland in 1876 and is representative of the Victorian vernacular farmhouses built in Prince George ' s County late in the nineteenth century.

Construction activities will include some ground disturbance in the form of grading, underground electrical conduit, racking post installation, equipment pads, and fencing. Phase I and II archeology surveys were conducted on the subject property as a requirement for a development application that was submitted to the Planning Department in 2007. Seven archeological sites were identified. The Hamilton Family Cemetery, l 8PR886, is also located on the subject property. The applicant consulted with Historic Preservation staff prior to designing the solar array to avoid culturally sensitive areas. The applicant proposes to pl<_tce the solar arrays in areas that do not contain significant archeological resources.

5

To avoid damage to the identified significant archeological sites and the Hamilton Family Cemetery, Historic Preservation staff recommends that a split-rail fence be constructed along the limits of disturbance adjacent to the Hamilton Family Cemetery and the north-central portion of the proposed solar arrays.

8. ECONOMIC ASSESSMENT The new facility will improve the delivery of electricity and give customers an additional choice in purchasing electricity from alternative sources such as Community Solar Energy Generating System (CSEGS).

9. EXISTING PUBLIC FACILITIES The proposed development will be served by Fire/EMS Company 843, a first response station, located at 16498 Pointer Ridge Road in Bowie, Maryland. The Prince George ' s County Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Department indicates that a five-minute response time is recognized as the national standard for Fire/EMS response times. This arises from the 2016 Edition of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 1710 Standards for the Organization and Deployment of Fire Suppression Operations, Emergency Medical Operations, and Special Operations to the Public by Career Fire Departments. This standard is being applied to the review of non-residential applications. The subject property failed the adequacy test and did not meet the five-minute standard; therefore, staff recommends the following:

• Prior to the commencement of construction, the applicant should contact the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department to request that a pre-incident Emergency plan for their facility be conducted by the closest station to the site. The pre-incident Emergency Plan will involve establishing points of contact and timely response options, facilitating emergency vehicle access throughout the site, creating a consistent marking protocol for the identification of system components that require special attention during an emergency, and developing appropriate Standard Operating Procedures or Standard Operating Guidelines for addressing on-site emergencies.

• The applicant should design, install and maintain the proposed project to meet all applicable minimum standards set forth in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70: National Electrical Code and all applicable minimum standards appropriate for ground-mounted solar facilities set forth in NFPA 1: Fire Code.

The proposed development project is also served by Police District II, which is located at 60 l SW Crain Highway Bowie, Maryland. The 2008 Approved Water and Sewer Plan places this property in both Water and Sewer Category 6, Individual System.

10. PERMITING It should be noted that the Mandatory Referral review process does not exempt any project from the need to meet the requirements of any other entitlement process. The subject application must receive final approvals from the following agencies as outlined below before the project can be implemented:

1. Prince George ' s County Planning Department: • Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) and Tree Conservation Plan (TCP) • Woodland Conservation Letter of Exemption (WCO-EX)

2. Prince George' s County, Soil Conservation District (PGCSCD): • Erosion and Sediment Control Permit

3. Prince George ' s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (DPIE): • Site Development (Stormwater Management) Concept • Final Stormwater Management Plan Permit • Rough/Fine Grading Permit • Building Permit, Electrical Permit, Fence Permit and Commercial Solar Panel Permit

4. Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)

6

STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS: Staff supports the location of the proposed solar project with the following recommendations as outlined below:

• Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the applicant and the applicant's heirs, successors, and/or assignees should install a split-rail fence around the Hamilton Family Cemetery and along the north-central portion of the arrays that borders the "Archeological Area" as shown on the plans.

• Prior to the commencement of construction, the applicant should contact the Prince George's County Fire/EMS Department to request a pre-incident Emergency Plan for their facility to be conducted by the closest station to the site. The pre-incident Emergency Plan will involve establishing points of contact and timely response options, facilitating emergency vehicle access throughout the site, creating a consistent marking protocol for the identification of system components that require special attention during an emergency, and developing appropriate Standard Operating Procedures or Standard Operating Guidelines for addressing on-site emergencies.

• The applicant should design, install and maintain the proposed project to meet all applicable minimum standards set forth in the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 70: National Electrical Code and all applicable minimum standards appropriate for ground-mounted solar facilities set forth in NFPA 1: Fire Code.

7

STAFF COMMENTS

MN THEIMARYL~ND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

P P 14 7 41 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 www.pgplanning.org • c Countywide Planning Division

Environmental Planning Section

MEMORANDUM

TO: Ted Kowaluk, Planner Coordinator, Special Projects Section

August 14, 2019

VIA:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Megan Reiser, Acting Supervisor, Environmental Planning Section n1 ~ /'?:.-­

Kim Finch, Planner Coordinator, Environmental Planning Section r~ MR-1826F Solar PR-24, Parcel 7 17205 Mill Branch Place

The Environmental Planning Section (EPS) has completed its review for MR- I 826F for an 2MW-AC solar energy system proposed on a 15-acre section of a 111.23-acre site known as I 7205 Mill Branch Place, Bowie, Maryland. The application proposes to construct a Community Solar Energy System (Solar Array) as part of Baltimore Gas and Electric's Community Solar Program. This application was accepted for Mandatory Referral review on July 3 1, 2019.

Background The Environmental Planning Section has previously reviewed this site in conjunction with the following applications.

Development Project Tree Approval Status Action Approval Review Case Name Conservation Authority Date Document

Plan S-06008 Canter Property NA Planning Cettified NA

Conservation Director Sketch Plan -

4-06038 Canter Propetty TCPl-036- Planning Withdrawn NA NA 06 Board

E- 008-2019 I 7205 Mill Branch NA Staff Approved May 6, NA Place 2019

NRI-068- PR-24, Parcel 7 NA Staff Approved NA NA 2019 MR-1826F Solar PR-24, Parcel Planning Pending Pending

7 Board

The application area is located mostly on the northeast side of Mill Branch Road in the O-S zone and identified as Parcel 7. Plan Prince George's 2035 Approved General Plan places the prope1ty in the Rural and Agricultural Areas of the Growth Policy Land Use and recommended future land uses are Rural and Agricultural.

A Numbered Woodland Conservation Exemption Letter (E-008-2019) was issued for the proposed project on May 6, 2019 for the removal of zero square feet of woodlands.

MR-1826F Solar PR-24, Parcel 7 Page2

Compliance with Solar Energy Program Guidelines for Mandatory Referral Cases

The application is subject to the "Prince George's County Solar Energy Systems Guidelines for Mandatory Referral Cases contained in the Adopted Uniform Standards for Mandatory Referral Review adopted by the Planning Board on April 18, 2018. The guidelines apply to Solar Energy Systems (SES) that are reviewed under the Prince George's County Planning Board's (the "Board") Mandatory Referral Process, and that require approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) or any other public body subject to the Board's Mandatory Referral Process. The Board expects applicants to demonstrate that their proposals comply with these Guidelines.

The Guidelines are designed to provide consistent parameters for the Board to review all SES located in the County that require approval from the PSC or any other public body, and provide a framework for review of SES and analysis of the project's conformance with the County's comprehensive land use plans. The Board invites the PSC and other public agencies to give "due consideration" to these Guidelines and to the Board's specific Mandatory Referral comments for each SES, as required by §7-207(e) of the Public Utilities Article. Review in accordance with these guidelines occurs during the Mandatory Referral Process. The guidelines are provided in bold font and comments are provided in regular font.

Siting Preferences: Site selection and placement on the site are important considerations for SES projects. The Board strongly discourages locations that result in significant loss of prime agricultural land, affect cultural and natural resources, or impact significant scenic viewsheds.

The SES is proposed to be located on agricultural land which is currently producing soybeans. The soils are classified in Land Capability Classes of III and IV. The site has frontage on Mi11 Branch Road, a designated scenic and historic road in the Agricultural and Rural Area of the Plan 2035 General Plan. The placement of the proposed panels could impact the scenic viewshed and affect the rural character of the area, so retention of woodlands and provision of appropriate landscape buffers is necessary to retain the rural character. The site contains stream and buffers, wetland and wetland buffers, floodplain, and steep slopes which are regulated environmental features that are proposed to be preserved and protected. There are existing trees located on a ridge line between_the solar panels and the road frontage over most of the site frontage.

Location Restrictions: The Board does not support SES in the Chesapeake Bay Critical Area or the Mount Vernon Viewshed Area of Primary Concern.

The site is not located in the CBCA or the Mooot Vernon Viewshed Area of Primary Concern

The Board's siting preference hierarchy is as follows, listed from most suitable to least suitable in descending order: 1. Locations on disturbed land such as brownfields, reclaimed surface mines, abandoned

rubble fills, and closed landfills. 2. Locations in industrial and commercial zoning districts. 3. Locations in residential zoning districts other than R-O-S, O-S, and R-A zones. 4. R-O-S, O-S, and R-A zoned properties. Proposals in these zoning districts are sub,ject to the

following additional guidelines: a. The least productive agricultural soils classified as class IV through VIII (as

determined by USDA-NRCS Soil Survey) should be considered first if buildable.

l\1R-1826F Solar PR-24, Parcel 7 Page3

b. A dual-use land-design concept should be considered to preserve productive farmland by: (a) continuing crop production underneath high-mounted and well­spaced panels; or (b) maintaining and grazing livestock, or poultry underneath panels; or (c) Maintaining and planting an herbaceous cover with pollinator value.

c. If dual-use concepts are determined to be impractical, the Board strongly discourages installing SES on soils with classification of I, II, and Ill as determined by USDA-NRCS Soil Survey, as these are the most productive soils. If proposed, such projects would be expected to provide mitigation for the Joss of productive soils.

The site is zoned OS which is nwnber 4 in the hierarchy of preferred locations. According to the Web Soil Survey (WSS). The site contains Land Capability Class III and IV in the area where the solar panels will be placed which is setback from Mill Branch Road and significantly shielded by the existing topography.

A dual- use concept is strongly recommended as part of this proposal by implementing guideline 4.b.and providing pollinator value.

Woodland Conservation

The Board strongly discourages the clearing of woodlands for the instaIJation of SES. In cases where clearing of woodlands is unavoidable, the applicant shall be required to comply with Subtitle 25, Division 2 of the County Code, the Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance. The applicant shall submit a Type 2 (II) Tree Conservation Plan that is consistent with all ordinance requirements. Whenever possible, all reforestation area(s) should be located within the impacted sub-watershed and should be designed to contribute to the maximum extent practical to improving the water quality of the impacted watershed.

According the proposed site plan submitted with this application, and reviewed with the most current aerial photos, no woodland is proposed to be cleared to implement the project. A Numbered Woodland Conservation Exemption Letter (E-008-2019) was issued for the project on May 6, 2019 approving the removal of zero square feet of woodlands.

Screening and Buffering

SES should be designed to minimize visibility from roads and neighboring properties. SES should strive to implement landscaping and screening set forth in the Prince George's County Landscape Manual. For-purposes of applying Table 4.7-1 of the Landscape Manual, SES will be considered a Low Impact use and will be reviewed in accordance with the corresponding landscape buffering requirements.

The protection of rural character and scenic and historic resources are of importance for any development in the rnral and agricultural areas of the county. Mill Branch Road is a designated scenic and historic road in the Rural and Agricultural Area of the Plan 2035 General Plan. It is afforded special buffering to preserve or enhance .its rural character. A proposed landscape plan was provided with this application showing a 40-foot-wide landscaped buffer of existing trees being provided along most of the frontage, except for 600 feet of frontage at the northwestern corner of the site. The Landscape Plan proposes a 20-foot-wide landscape buffer on the northern limits of the solar array, which is set back and separated from the roadway by changes of grade.

MR-1826F Solar PR-24, Parcel 7 Page4

We recommend that a standard Section 4.6 Buffering Development from Special Roadways be provided along the road frontage from the northern property line to the access road into the solar array and providing a more successful foreground screen should be provided to minimize the visual impacts from the scenic and historic roadway.

Fencing

Security fencing is proposed around the individual array groupings. The narrative states that the fencing will be chain link, with non-reflective black metal or black vinyl-coated metal, topped with 3 strand barbed wire for security. The use of barbed wire is not supported in the application because of potential negative impacts to wildlife.

Lighting

According to the applicant's narrative, no permanent lighting will be installed. !flighting is . proposed for the site, it should be full cut off optics that are directed downward to minimize sky glow. It is preferable that the lighting be motion sensitive, minimized, and mounted at a low level to limit visibility.

Vegetation Management

The applicant is strongly encouraged to install an herbaceous cover with high pollinator value, which qualifies as a dual-use land use concept to stabilize the soils and provide sediment and erosion control. To enhance the habitat and pollinator value of the site, it is recommended that plant materials be selected from the Natural Resources Conservation Service Conservation Practice Standard for Conservation Cover (Code 327), Table 6: Native Shrubs and Small Trees for Pollinator Habitat. The mixes and species contained in the addendum are focused on high diversity plantings to support wildlife habitat, with special consideration for pollinators and beneficial insects, consistent with USDA Biology Technical Note No. 78, 2nd Edition: Using 2014 Farm Bill Programs for Pollinator Conservation.

Pollinator-friendly species are also encouraged for the landscape plantings as an enhancement for other agricultural land uses within the Rural and Agricultural Areas.

Environmental Review

Existing Conditions/Natural Resources Inventory: The site has an approved Natural Resources Inventory Plan and a Letter of Exemption from the Woodland and Wildlife Habitat Conservation Ordinance has been issued because no woodlands are proposed to be cleared. According to the applicant' s narrative, the site's cur.rent land use is agricultural soybean production.

Based on the information provided on PGAtlas, the site contains wetlands, a regulated stream, 100-year floodplain and steep slopes associated with the stream. There are no rare, threatened or endangered species mapped on or in the vicinity of the site based on :PG Atlas findings. The site is in the Upper Patuxent River basin and in Environmental Strategy Area 3 of the Regulated Environmental Protection Areas Map as designated by Plan Prince George 's 2035 Approved General Plan. The site does not contain potential Forest Interior Dwelling Species habitat. The approved Countywide Green Infrastructure Plan shows that a significant portion of the property contains Regulated and Evaluation areas, associated with the regulated environmental features.

MR-l 826F Solar PR-24, Parcel 7 Page 5

The site plan provided shows 21 specimen trees on the site.

Soils: According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Web Soil Survey, the predominant soils found to occur on this site with the proposed solar array site include Collington-Wist complex (5-10 percent slopes) and Collington-Wist complex (10-15 percent slopes.) Marlboro clays or Christiana complexes are not found on or near this property. However, according to the Adopted Uniform Standards for Mandatory Referral Review in Prince George's County, Attachment 3: Location Restrictions; the site is in an O-S zone which is subject to additional guidelines that the least productive soils, classified as class V-VIII should be considered first if buildable. This site classifies the soils on the sites in Land Capability Classes III and IV.

Noise and Vibration: During construction and during operation post construction, the Maryland noise pollution stands refei·enced in COMAR 26.02.03 for residential zoning designations should not be exceed at the property line, or noise mitigation may be appropriate.

Glare Analysis: The applicant has utilized ForgeSolar application to evaluate potential glare from the array of solar panels. It should be noted that the land area slopes upward to approximately 10 feet from the road and could possibly affect the viewshed from the road and flight paths.

According to the narrative and the glare report, there are 16 potential receptors, consisting of currently existing residences and potential future residential areas. Twelve of the points indicated potential glare, but the applicant indicates in the narrative that these areas will be mitigated by existing vegetation and planned landscape buffers.

Stormwater Management: Stormwater management on the site will be subject to review and approval by the Department of Pennits Inspections and Enforcement. For the purposes of stonnwater management, the project area or site is defined by the limits of disturbance. The project will primarily consist of new development on the site. As required by Maryland Depa1tment of the Environment (MDE), full Environmental Site Design (BSD) treatment must be provided for all new impervious areas as well as SO-percent for all existing impervious area. No further information pertaining to stormwater management is required with the current application.

Protection of the Cemetery and Archaeological Resources During and Post Construction: The site contains a small family cemetery (Hamilton Family Cemetery, 74B-005) located close to the northwest comer of the solar array, and archaeological resources in the central area of the site adjacent to the eastern edge of the solar array. Both resources require the erection of a protective fence to PRIOR to the commencement of construction to protect the resources from constrnction damage. It is acknowledged that a chain-link fence will provide protection once installed, but the installation of a split rail fence or equivalent along the LOD adjacent to the vulnerable edge of the archaeological resources area, and along the LOD of the northeast corner of the solar array on the west side of the driveway is necessary.

Permitting

It should be noted that the Mandatory Referral review process does not exempt any project from the need to meet the requirements of any other entitlement process. The subject application must receive final approvals from the following agencies as outlined below before the project can be implemented:

1. Prince George's County Planning Department: • Natural Resources Inventory (NRI) and Tree Conservation Plan (TCP) or Letter of

Exemption from Woodland Conservation.

MR-l 826F Solar PR-24, Parcel 7 Page 6

2. Prince George 's Cotmty, Soil Conservation District (PGCSCD): • Erosion and Sediment Control Permit

3. Prince George ' s County Department of Permitting, Inspections and Enforcement (OPIE): • Site Development (Stormwater Management) Concept • Final Stormwater Management Plan Permit • Building Permit, Electrical Permit, Fence Permit and Commercial Solar Panel Pennit

4. Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) • Impacts to regulated streams, nontidal wetlands and buffers

5. Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC) 6. Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR)

• Power Plant Research Program 7. Prince George's County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC)

Conclusion

• Historic Area Work Permit for any work proposed to be conducted in the Environmental Setting of a historic facility

Thank you for the opportunity to comment on MR- l 826F, PR-24, Parcel 7.

If you have questions regarding these comments, please contact the Environmental Planning Section at 301-952-3650.

MN THEIMARYL~ND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

PP . . •

r-Pnnce George's County Planning Department L___,Community Planning

MEMORANDUM

14 7 41 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Mar1boro, Maryland 20772 www.pgplanning.org

301 -952-3972

August 12, 2019

TO: Ted Kowaluk, Planner Coordinator, Special Projects Section, Countywide Planning Division

VIA :

FROM:

Scott Rowe, AICP CNU, Supervisor, Long Range Section, Community P\anning Division AD David A. Green, MBA, Master Planner, Community Planning Division Jp .

Judy D' Ambrosi, Senior Planner, Neighborhood Revitalization Section, Community JD Planning Division

SUBJECT: MR-1826F-PR24

FINDINGS:

General Plan: This application is consistent with the 2014 Plan Prince George's 2035 Approved General Plan which designates this application in the Rural and Agricultural Areas, because Plan 2035 encourages investment in energy infrastructure and renewable energy, and encourages the generation of low-carbon and clean, renewable energy sources.

Master Plan: This application is not consistent with the Rural land use recommendations for the 2006 Approved Master Plan for Bowie and Vicinity and Sectional Map Amendment for Planning Areas 71A, 71 B, 74A, and 74B retained O-S zone (Open Space) on the subject property.

BACKGROUND

Location: The site is located at 17205 Mill Branch Place.

Existing Uses: Agricultural Production

Acreage: 111.23 acres

Proposal: Construction of a Solar Photovoltaic Facility on 15 acres.

GENERAL PLAN, MASTER PLAN AND SMA

General Plan: This application is located in the Rural and Agricultural Areas. The vision for the Rural and Agricultural Areas is to promote low-density residential development, agricultural activity, and forest preservation.

MR-1826F -PR24 Page 2

Master Plan: The 2006 Approved Master Plan for Bowie and Vicinity recommends residential rural land use on the subject property.

Planning Area: 74B Community: Collington & Vicinity

Aviation/MIOZ: This application is not located within an Aviation Policy Area or the Military Installation Overlay Zone

SMA/Zoning:

The 2006 Approved Master Plan for Bowie and Vicinity and Sectional Map Amendment for Planning Areas 71 A, 71 B, 7 4A, and 7 4 B retained O-S zone on the subject

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

The Prince George's County Planning Board adopted uniform standards for solar energy systems (SES) that are reviewed under the Prince George's County Planning Board's Mandatory Referral process, and that require approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission (PSC). Per the standards the Board strongly discourages the clearing of woodlands for the installation of SES or the location of SES on prime farmland and residential zoning districts such as R-O-S, O-S, and R-A zoned properties. Instead, the Planning Board supports SES sites that are restricted to locations in industrial and commercial zoning districts, and on disturbed land such as brownfields, reclaimed surface mines, abandoned rubble fills, and closed landfills.

cc: Long Range Book Fred Stachura, Planning Supervisor, Neighborhood Revitalization Section, Community Planning Division

MN THEIMARYL~ND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

PP • c

August 15, 2019

14 7 41 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 www.mncppc.org/pgco

MEMORANDUM

TO:

VIA:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Ted Kowaluk, Special Projects Section, Countywide Planning Division

Howard Berger, Supervisor, Historic Preservation Section, Countywide Planning Division ~6

Jennifer Stabler, Historic Preservation Section, Countywide Planning Division 'Sl-\~ Tyler Smith, Historic Preservation Section, Countywide Planning Division -r-'\-=,

MR-1826F: PR24 Solar

The subject property comprises 111 .23 acres at 1 7205 Mill Branch Place. The project is being developed by TPE MD PR24, LLC and the proposed facility is being constructed under Baltimore Gas and Electric ' s Community Solar Program. The solar facility is being constructed on approximately 15 acres of the larger propetty. The proposed solar array consists of over 7,000 390-Watt solar panels.

Historic Preservation

The subject prope1ty does not contain and is not adjacent to any Prince George's Count historic sites or resources. One documented property was identified on the subject property, Samuel Hamilton House (PG:74B-5). The Samuel Hamilton House is side-gabled, and two-and-one-half-story dwelling of frame construction. The house was built by Samuel H. Hamilton sometime after his purchase of 118.5 acres of farmland in 1876 and is representative of the Victorian vernacular farmhouses built in Prince George's County late in the nineteenth century.

Archeology

Construction activities will include some ground disturbance in the form of grading, underground electrical conduit, racking post installation, equipment pads, and fencing. Phase I and IT at'cheology surveys were conducted on the subject property as a requirement for a development application that was submitted to the Planning Depa1tment in 2007. Seven archeological sites were identified. The Hamilton Family Cemetery, 18PR886, is also located on the subject prope1ty. The applicant consulted with Historic Preservation staff prior to designing the solar array to avoid culturally sensitive areas. The applicant proposes to place the solar arrays in areas that do not contain significant archeological resources.

To avoid damage to the identified significant archeological sites and the Hamilton Family Cemetery, Historic Preservation staff recommends that a split-rail fence be constructed along the limits of disturbance adjacent to the Hamilton Family Cemetery and the north-central portion of the proposed solar

Fence The applicant has proposed a chain-link security fence with barbed wire. Stranded, barbed and/or razor wire are generally prohibited on all fences and walls. The applicant should use chain-link fencing without barbed wire to enclose the solar array field . The fencing should have limited visibility in the landscape, and not be of a reflective material. A black, vinyl-clad, chain-link fence is the least visually intrusive. If a metal fence is used, it should preferably have a matte black finish .

Landscaping The project is exempt from the requirements of the 2010 Prince George's County Landscape Manual. The Urban Design Section notes that the site would normally be required to demonstrate conformance with the following Sections: 4.4 Screening Requirements, 4.6 Buffering Development from Special Roadways, 4.7 Buffering Incompatible Uses, and Section 4.9, Sustainable Landscaping Requirements.

Specifically, the Urban Design staff recommends the applicant screen or buffer the solar panels from the adjacent residential uses and roadways. Existing vegetation on the north, east and south will do a sufficient job of screening the arrays from most vantage points from the existing residential properties and adjacent roadways. Staff would suggest a minimum 20-foot-wide landscape bufferyard with 80 plant units per 100 linear feet of perimeter fence be provided on the northwest and west sides of the solar array site.

In addition, between existing woodland areas on the south side of the property, the applicant should provide an evergreen screen. The landscape strip should include a doubled-staggered row of six-foot-high minimum evergreen trees planted nine feet on center.

Conclusion

The Urban Design Section recommends the following in regard to Mandatory Referral MR- 1826F:

1. Provide a minimum 20-foot-wide landscape buffer yard with 80 plant units per 100 linear feet of perimeter of the northwest and west side of the solar arrays, to screen them from view of adjacent properties and roadways. All plants should be native species and a minimum of 6 feet in height.

2. Provide a minimum six-foot-high, evergreen tree screen between the existing woodlands south of the solar array.

3. Provide black, vinyl-clad, chain-link fencing, without barbed wire, to enclose the entire solar array field. If a metal fence is used, it should have a matte black finish.

2

MR-1826F: PR24 Solar August 15, 2019 Page 2 of2

array that borders the archeological sensitive areas. The split-rail fence should be installed prior to any grading or other ground disturbance to ensure that no damage occurs to the cemetery or archeological sites.

Recommendations

Historic Preservation Staff recommends approval ofMR-1824F with the following condition:

Prior to the issuance of a grading permit, the applicant and the applicant's heirs, successors, and/or assignees shall install a split-rail fence around the Hamilton Family Cemetery and along the north-central portion of the arrays that borders the "Archeological Area" as shown on the plans.

MN THEIMARYL~ND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

pp •c 14 7 41 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 www .pgplanni ng .org

301-952-3530

August 15, 2019

MEMORANDUM

TO:

VIA:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Ted Kowaluk, Planner Coordinator, Special Projects Section,

Jill Kosack, Planning Supervisor, Urban Design Section r~ Jeremy Hurlbutt, Master Planner, Urban Design Section J"D!-f

Mandatory Referral MR-1826F PR-24 Solar Photovoltaic Facility

The Urban Design Section has reviewed the information submitted in support of MR-1826F - PR-24 Solar Photovoltaic Facility. The project is located at 17025 Mill Branch Place, Bowie, Maryland which is north east of the intersection of Mill Branch Place and Mill Branch Road. The project will be constructed on 15 acres of the 111.23-acre Parcel 7, which is in the Open Space (O-S) Zone, and currently improved with residential and agricultural uses. The subject site borders other homesteads and agricultural uses in the Residential Agricultural (R-A) Zone to the west and south, as well as similar uses in the O-S Zone to the no1th and east.

The applicant proposes to construct a 2,000 kW alternating current (AC) solar array on the property, which will be made up of 7,000 390-watt solar panels. The applicant plans to enclose the site with a six­foot-high, chain link, metal fence topped with barbed wire and gate for security. The applicant plans to use existing woodlands to screen the arrays from surrounding uses and proposes a landscape buffer along the western side of the array.

The Urban Design Section offers the following comments and recommendations regarding the proposed project:

Location Restrictions The property is located in the O-S Zone and is subject to additional guidelines that recommend that solar energy systems (SES) systems be placed on the least productive agricultural soil. These include class IV through VIII (as determined by USDA-NRCS Soil Survey). The guidelines discourage installing SES on soils with classification of I, II, and III as determined by USDA-NRCS Soil Survey, as these are the most productive soils. The Environmental Planning Section should make recommendations on the soil types and restrictions.

The guidelines also encourage a dual-use land-design concept that allows continuing crop production, grazing livestock, or planting herbaceous cover underneath the panels. The applicant is seeding underneath the panels with XeRCES Mid-Atlantic pollinator mix, which will be maintained by the applicant and meet the herbaceous cover guideline.

MN THEIMARYL~ND-NATIONAL CAPITAL PARK AND PLANNING COMMISSION

pp •c Countywide Planning Division

Transportation Planning Section

August 12, 2019

14 7 41 Governor Oden Bowie Drive Upper Marlboro, Maryland 20772 www.mncppc.org/pgco

30 l -952-3680

MEMORANDUM

TO:

VIA:

FROM:

SUBJECT:

Ted Kowaluk, Special Projects Section, Countywide Planning Division

Tom Masog, Transportation Planning Section, Countywide Planning Division~_,{~ "t"'t"­

Iftin Thompson, Transportation Planning Section, Countywide Planning Division

MR-1826F PR24 Solar Photovoltaic Facility

The Transp01tation Planning Section has reviewed the mandatory referral referenced above. The project site is located at 17205 Mill Branch Place.

Plan Review The applicant proposes to construct a solar photovoltaic facility on approximately 15 acres of a 111.23-acre parcel. Traffic impacts will be limited to the construction period which is estimated to last three months. Although most of the traffic impacts would be limited to construction, it is anticipated there will be minor impacts. The solar facility will in general be unmanned, with occasional staffing for maintenance. As such, traffic impacts post-construction will be minimal. There are no pedestrian access ways associated with the project. The solar panels will be completely fenced preventing any pedestrians or bicyclists from accessing the site.

Access to the solar array is located on Mill Branch Road. A 22-foot wide gravel driveway will be constructed to allow access into the facility. The site currently has three private access roads that are expected to remain. Access and circulation are acceptable.

The site is not within or adjacent to future rights-of-way as identified in Approved Countywide Master Plan a/Transportation.

Conclusion Overall from the standpoint of transportation, it is determined this plan is acceptable.