Shawnee County planning staff presents draft solar regulations; public raises concerns about setbacks, battery storage and fire risk

Shawnee County Planning Commission planning staff presented draft solar energy regulations at a town hall meeting meant to gather public input on how the county should allow and limit solar farms.

The planning staff said the county has been discussing solar rules for several years, that a wind ban and a moratorium on solar previously moved the work forward, and that the draft before the public reflects multiple work sessions and feedback from fire districts and cities. Planning staff also said the county has no pending solar-farm applications at this time.

The League of Women Voters of Topeka Shawnee County urged changes to the draft, saying the proposed 240-acre project cap, 500-foot setbacks and a ban on on-site battery storage would “discourage” larger solar projects and reduce local opportunities. Vicky Arneat, co-chair of the league’s Topeka-Shawnee County Climate Committee, said the group supports clean energy but recommended allowing projects of at least 1,000 acres, reducing setbacks to no more than 100 feet, and reconsidering the battery-storage ban to reflect advancing safety…