Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy Grid topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission forwards solar and energy‑storage zoning amendments to county commissioners; vote 4‑0 with one abstention
Summary
The Planning and Zoning Commission voted to forward county code amendments on solar setbacks and a new section for front‑of‑meter energy storage devices to the Board of County Commissioners; the motion passed with four recorded yes votes and one abstention.
The Planning and Zoning Commission on Aug. 19 approved forwarding text amendments to the county code addressing solar facilities and a new section governing front‑of‑meter energy storage devices, with a recorded outcome of four yesses and one abstention.
What changed: Planning staff refined draft changes sent in advance to clarify terminology and requirements for siting and screening, added definitions for “behind the meter” and “front of the meter” storage, and distinguished between setbacks (distance to property lines) and distances (additional separations required specifically to protect residential dwellings). The draft clarifies that energy‑storage devices accessory to solar facilities follow the solar accessory use rules, while standalone front‑of‑meter energy storage facilities are subject to distinct distance and setback requirements, opaque fencing and a prohibition on variance to specified distances.
Why it matters: The amendments are intended to implement state renewable‑energy guidance and to provide clearer local regulation for battery energy storage systems and large solar projects — including minimum distances from residential zoning districts and from dwellings — while enabling screening and landscape requirements. Staff said the changes are designed to align county code with state renewable energy requirements and to ensure consistent expectations for siting and review.
Commission action: Commissioners voted to forward the draft amendments to the Board of County Commissioners for public hearing and formal action; the chair recorded 4 yesses and 1 abstention. Staff will proceed with the county process for public hearings and final adoption by the county commissioners.
Ending: Staff said the amendments will be transmitted to the Board of County Commissioners for public hearing at the next available agenda; commissioners who abstained noted they had no substantive objections but withheld a vote.
