Delaware County adopts revised solar zoning text after weeks of debate; moratorium set to expire on adoption

Delaware County commissioners on Oct. 7 adopted an amended version of the county's comprehensive zoning ordinance addressing utility-scale solar energy facilities, approving the planning commission's recommended changes after extended discussion about setbacks, property-value guarantees and next steps for implementation.

The vote came after multiple commissioners and members of the public debated whether to keep a 500-foot setback from nonparticipating residences and whether to require developers to cover any post-construction losses in nearby residential property values. Commissioner Richard Brand moved to approve the planning commission's recommendations and the board voted in favor; roll-call votes recorded all three commissioners as voting yes.

The ordinance revision matters because it changes the county's rules for where and how large solar projects can be sited and it triggers the automatic end of a previously enacted moratorium on new filings. County legal staff said the moratorium in effect would expire "by operation" when the board adopted the planning commission's changes.

In the discussion leading up to the vote,…