Chino Valley planning panel forwards ordinance to prohibit utility‑scale solar, wind and restrict battery storage

CHINO VALLEY, Ariz. — The Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission on Sept. 2 voted unanimously to forward a text amendment to Town Council that would prohibit utility‑scale solar, utility‑scale wind and related concentrated solar power (CSP) projects inside town limits while allowing limited on‑site solar, wind and battery storage for individual properties.

The commission recommended approval of TA‑2025‑05 after staff presented proposed changes to the Town of Chino Valley Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) that add definitions for “concentrated solar power (CSP),” “utility‑scale solar facility,” and “utility‑scale wind farm,” and that tighten language in the UDO about uses that are not listed in zoning districts.

Will Dingey, assistant director for development services, told the commission the amendment implements direction the council gave staff after a March council decision. “As read, tonight before you is text amendment TA‑2025‑05, and this is a text proposed text amendment to address renewable energy — utility‑scale solar and wind — within Chino Valley town limits,” Dingey said. He said the ordinance language was drafted by the town attorney and reviewed by staff.

Under the proposed UDO language, roof‑mounted solar panels would be allowed on homes and over parking structures when the structure’s primary purpose is not to create space for panels; on commercial properties panels are limited to covering the minimum required parking stalls and cannot be used to justify adding parking stalls primarily to host panels.

Ground‑mounted solar arrays would be allowed on individual residential properties only if the electricity produced is used exclusively on the same parcel and the installation does not meet the definition of a utility‑scale solar facility. Battery energy storage systems (BESS) would be permitted at homes and businesses only if stored energy is used exclusively on‑site; the draft contains no per‑property cap on battery quantity.

The commission also approved an amendment proposed during the meeting to broaden the wind language from “ground‑mounted” to “ground‑mounted or structure‑mounted” wind turbines for individual residential properties, so long as power generated is used exclusively on‑site. The draft limits turbines to one per acre and no more than three per property. Any wind turbine exceeding 35 feet in height would require a conditional use permit, a discretionary process the code outlines in section 1.90.3.

Commissioners asked staff about the residual phrase in the code that says uses not listed in a zoning district are not allowed “except as otherwise provided in this ordinance.” Dingey explained the language preserves existing code sections that permit particular uses under separate rules (for example, conditional‑use provisions) and gives counter staff a definitive location to cite when applicants ask if a use is permitted.

No members of the public filled out comment cards; the commission opened and closed the public hearing portion for the item without receiving public testimony.

After discussion and the amendment to include structure‑mounted turbines, Commissioner [name not specified in transcript] moved to forward TA‑2025‑05 to Town Council with the change; the commission seconded the motion and approved it by unanimous roll call. Chair Merritt said, “Yes. The motion passes unanimously,” and thanked staff and the public for participating in the multiple meetings on the topic.

The commission’s recommendation now goes to Town Council for final action. Staff noted the item follows council direction after the council previously denied a proposed tax amendment for utility‑scale solar and earlier considered a conditional use permit for the Wilkinson solar farm.

Votes at a glance - Approval of corrected June 3, 2025 regular meeting minutes and August 5, 2025 study session minutes: Motion carried (voice vote); individual yes/no tallies not recorded in the transcript. - TA‑2025‑05 (UDO amendment to address renewables; forward to Town Council with amendment to allow ground‑ or structure‑mounted residential wind turbines under limits): Motion carried by unanimous roll call vote (7‑0). Commissioners recording “yes”: Welker; Pizzi; Morabito; Zamudio; Meadors; Vice Chair Paciak; Chair Merritt.

Background The amendment follows a March Town Council decision that denied a proposed tax amendment related to utility‑scale solar and subsequent direction to staff to draft code language prohibiting utility‑scale solar, wind, CSP and BESS as defined in the draft ordinance. Staff said the draft is intentionally concise and relies on added definitions and a new UDO section (4.33) to make prohibitions and limited on‑site allowances clear to applicants and counter staff.

What happens next The Planning and Zoning Commission forwarded its recommendation to Town Council. Council will consider the amendment at a future meeting; staff did not provide a council hearing date in the transcript.