Buncombe County Commissioners Preview: rooftop solar for Enka High School

At its meeting tonight the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider as part of its consent agenda a measure that would pave the way for Enka High School to install solar panels on its roof. In order for the Buncombe County Board of Education to lease the space necessecary for a potential solar installation, Comissioners must first determine that the property will not be otherwise needed by the county for the duration of the expected 20-year lease.

If commissioners approve, the school can move forward with plans to install either a photovoltaic or solar water heating system on the roof beginning in September. In May, the Board of Education issued a request for proposals from solar developers, and held a pre-proposal meeting at the school site with prospective developers.

Also at tonight’s meeting:

• Comissioners will hear the county’s annual Tax Settlement Report. According to the report, the county has collected 98.67 percent of all taxes for the previous fiscal year, which ended June 30. In total, Buncombe County collected a little better than $151 million in tax revenue with around $2 million still uncollected. The percentage of taxes collected is near the average for the county going back to 2004, and 1.5 percent higher than the state average.

• Commissioners will consider a rezoning request for a 5.2 acre parcel on Old US 70 west of the intersection of Cavalier Lane from R-3 (residential district) to NS (Neighborhood Service District. The property does currently conform to its zoning designation, as it contains the Carolina Ready Mix concrete company, which builds formed concrete walls. Staff says the rezoning will make the property “less non-conforming.”

Today’s meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. at Commission Chambers at 30 Valley Street. Click here to see the full meeting agenda.

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