Page County Council debates solar ordinance amid community concerns over property values and project impact

The Page County Board of Supervisors convened on December 12, 2024, to discuss several key agenda items, with a significant focus on the proposed solar ordinance. The meeting began with procedural discussions regarding the publication timeline for the ordinance, as the deadline for submission to the local newspaper was set for the following Tuesday, ahead of the Christmas holiday.

Board members considered the possibility of holding a special meeting to allow public review of the ordinance before its publication. A motion was made to proceed with the ordinance discussion that evening, with some members expressing a desire for a clearer, amended version of the document to be available for review.

The conversation shifted to the solar ordinance itself, with one board member proposing to waive the second and third readings of the ordinance, citing familiarity with its content and a desire to expedite the process. This proposal sparked a debate among members regarding the necessity of reading ordinances aloud during meetings. Some members expressed that they had never witnessed such readings before, while others emphasized the importance of transparency and public engagement.

During the discussion, a member of the public, Crystal Worrall, addressed the board, expressing her appreciation for the reading of the ordinance. She shared her personal challenges with processing written information and highlighted the importance of accessibility in governance. Worrall also raised concerns about a potential solar project near her home, emphasizing the need for adequate setbacks to protect residential properties from encroachment.

Worrall detailed her family's long-standing ties to the area and expressed worries about the impact of the solar project on property values, citing a recent decline in her home's assessed value. She urged the board to consider the voices of rural residents who wish to preserve their way of life amid developments.

The board's discussions underscored the complexities surrounding the solar ordinance, balancing the interests of potential developers with the concerns of local residents. The meeting concluded with a commitment to further review the ordinance and consider public feedback before finalizing any decisions.