City approves solar farm
By Ty Johnson
Published in News on March 6, 2013 1:46 PM
Goldsboro will let the sunshine in now that its City Council has approved the first solar farm in the city limit.
Strata Solar Development got the go-ahead Monday night to begin construction of its proposed 59-acre solar farm on the north side of Fedelon Trail between North William Street and Granville Drive.
The solar farm is one of several planned for Wayne County, as construction has begun on one in Mount Olive while another is possible. Duplin County has also seen a solar farming interest spike.
The Fedelon Trail site plan shows 27,600 solar panels being installed on the property, which would provide power to about 700 homes annually.
Evergreen shrubs will hide the panels from view and a barbed wire fence will be installed to deter trespassing, according to the request.
The council approved the conditional use district by consent along with the following items:
* The awarding of a contract for the George Street Water Main Improvement project
* Approval of audit services for the current fiscal year
* A utility services agreement for fiber installation
* A request for fuel from the Goldsboro Housing Authority
* A zoning ordinance amendment concerning manufactured home regulations
* A conditional use permit to allow the opening of a beach bingo parlor at the former location of Teasers Nightclub
* Acquisition of right of way for the Berkeley Boulevard widening project
* The site and landscaping plan for a modular unit at Wayne Middle/High Academy
* A sign modification request for Marcellus Harrison Auto Sales
* An ordinance establishing a "No Parking" zone for a section of North Claiborne Street
* A conditional use permit to allow the opening of a beach bingo parlor at the New Hope Plaza Shopping Center
* The appointment of City Manager Scott Stevens, District 2 Councilman Bill Broadaway, District 5 Councilman Chuck Allen and former County Commissioner Jack best to the U.S. Highway 70 Corridor Commission
* Appointments to the Mayor's Committee for Persons with Disabilities.