Cache County reviews large-scale solar code amendment as developer details 150‑megawatt Honeystone proposal

County staff introduced a proposed large‑scale solar code amendment at a joint Cache County Council and Planning Commission workshop, saying the draft would create an entire chapter for solar and insert intermediate scale categories between household systems and very large utility projects.

The draft was prompted in part by a developer proposal discussed previously for a project the developer described as about 150 megawatts on roughly 600 acres. Cole Stocker, a project representative for Enel Green Power, told the meeting the project is called the Honeystone Solar Project and said the company has completed environmental diligence for the site.

Why it matters: the county’s current code has a large gap—rules suitable for a single residence and nothing to regulate multi‑megawatt facilities—so officials said they need a framework that lets the county permit, condition and evaluate projects of intermediate and large scales.

County staffer Connor said the amendment would add definitions and create multiple size tiers because “the existing code we have basically has a jump from it supplies 1 house to this very large scale thing.” The planning commission had asked staff to consider intermediate steps such as a community scale (under 5 megawatts), a mid tier (roughly 1–20 acres) and a large tier that would trigger public‑infrastructure overlay review and additional standards.

Cole Stocker, of Enel Green Power, addressed several concerns raised by commissioners. He said the company generally clears only what is needed for construction, then reestablishes native grasses under panels, and that leases include an obligation to restore the land after the project term: “after 40 years in our leases, it's set so we have to go back and completely restore the land to previous conditions.” He also said no wetland or habitat constraints were identified in the company’s diligence for this site and that the facility would connect close to existing transmission lines; he added that commercial contracts are not finalized but that power delivered on those transmission lines would likely be used in Utah.

Several council members pressed the visual and local‑benefit questions. One member asked whether any part of the power could be required to serve local customers or whether the developer could be required to offer a first right of refusal to nearby cities; county counsel said he would need to research the legal feasibility of such local‑preference requirements. Logan Mayor Holly Danes told the meeting Logan City was following the discussion and “we could potentially be interested in purchasing 10 megawatts,” depending on price.

Public‑safety and technical issues also arose. Commissioners and staff noted the proximity of an airport and asked whether FAA studies had been completed; Stocker said the company conducts FAA coordination and had considered the nearby airfield in its diligence. Officials also asked about battery storage and fire risk; attendees said the developer had met with the local fire marshal and that battery storage standards remain a concern because lithium‑ion fires elsewhere have been difficult to extinguish.

Next steps and council direction: staff said the draft code remains at the rough, information‑gathering phase. The planning commission and council expressed general support for developing tiered scale definitions and standards and asked staff to refine the ordinance and return with a recommendation. County counsel agreed to research the legality and practicality of local‑preference language a council member had proposed.

The meeting included no formal vote on the code amendment; council members and planning commissioners instead directed staff to continue drafting the ordinance and to solicit more data and examples from other jurisdictions.

Ending: staff asked the planning commission to provide recommendations on tier thresholds and implementation details; council members asked staff to gather quantitative evidence on environmental and economic impacts and to coordinate FAA and fire‑marshal reviews as the draft moves toward a formal public hearing.