Lincoln County court restores stricter solar‑farm limits, schedules public workshop

Judge Adams and the Lincoln County Fiscal Court voted Aug. 26 to amend a proposed Planning and Zoning change to the county land‑use rules for commercial solar energy facilities, restoring the court’s earlier, stricter limits on where solar farms may be sited. The court approved, by roll‑call vote, a motion to amend the Planning and Zoning amendment to match an earlier proposal from Judge Adams that would prohibit solar farms on prime farmland or farmland of statewide importance, require setbacks of 1,500 feet from adjoining lines and 2,000 feet from residences, and call for additional screening with evergreen trees. The motion was made by Magistrate Stanley and seconded by Magistrate David Faulkner; all magistrates voted in favor. The court’s action reverses language adopted by Lincoln County Planning and Zoning after its public hearing, which reduced setbacks to 300 feet from adjoining lines and 500 feet from residences, added grandfathering language for existing leases, and retained requirements for additional screening. Planning and Zoning had held a public hearing and revised its amendment before sending it to the court. Many residents attended the fiscal court meeting to voice both support and opposition; those wishing to speak were given two minutes each. Judge Adams spoke during the item and asked the court to amend the Planning and Zoning proposal to match his earlier, stricter amendment. Given the volume of public interest and limited meeting time, Judge Adams announced a workshop on the solar issue to be held Sept. 9, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. at the Veterans Park Office, before the regularly scheduled meeting at 9:00 a.m. The judge said the workshop will provide an additional hour for public comment and for magistrates to ask questions. The court’s amendment changes the version Planning and Zoning had forwarded; the county did not adopt a final ordinance text at the Aug. 26 meeting beyond instructing that the Planning and Zoning amendment be amended to match the judge’s original proposal. Additional review and formal adoption steps by the county’s legislative process may follow.