Navajo County staff outline renewable-energy ordinance and development-agreement process, plan June return

Planning and Development Services staff told the Navajo County Board of Supervisors they have drafted a renewable-energy ordinance that would combine general development standards for both wind and solar, add project-specific provisions and create a pathway for development agreements to be used in place of or alongside special-use permits.

The draft ordinance, staff said, would codify fire-agency involvement in review and construction, strengthen road-use agreements to cover construction and post-construction impacts, and require environmental, cultural and wetland studies plus photo simulations for proposed projects.

"We've added in some of those performance criteria," Cody, Planning and Development staff, said. "We did go through and add stronger language for fire. So that's codifying their involvement as a part of the review process..."

Why it matters: renewable projects can affect county road and emergency-response capacity, cultural and wildlife resources, and neighboring properties. Staff framed the ordinance as a way to set predictable standards for siting and operations while adding requirements intended to reduce wildfire and wildlife impacts.

Key provisions staff described include: mandatory consultation with any municipality or tribal entity if a project boundary is within five miles; a preference for siting on less environmentally sensitive lands; mandatory use of commercially available technology to minimize wildland and wildlife impacts; and possible screening and adjusted setbacks near residential zones. For wind projects staff added an option allowing neighboring, nonparticipating property owners to waive setback requirements if they agree. A fee section specific to renewable projects was also proposed.

On development agreements, staff described those as a contract between the county and a developer that can specify duration, permitted uses, phasing, infrastructure responsibilities and recording requirements. "We are proposing change in the zoning ordinance to allow DAs in place of or in conjunction with SUP," Misha, Planning and Development staff, said. Staff said the resolution and recorded agreement would provide certainty for developers while preserving public input through required developer-led public meetings and the board's final ratification by resolution.

Board members asked about review cadence and public oversight. "One of the things on our special use permit that we allow, we ask for that to come back every 2, every 3 years to be reviewed," Vice Chair said. Staff replied the development-agreement route would streamline the process and would not go through the Planning and Zoning Commission, but would keep public input via developer meetings and the board's public hearing when the resolution is adopted.

Staff said they reviewed the draft with responding agencies, including local fire and emergency responders, and made changes based on their feedback.

Timeline: staff said they have worked to comply with state requirements for ordinance advertisement and expect to return to the Board with the ordinance on June 24 and potentially enact it by the end of that month, contingent on the formal process proceeding as planned.

Board members praised the outreach and asked staff to continue collaborating with tribal and municipal partners. "It opens the doors for collaboration," said Supervisor Seymour.

No formal action was taken at the meeting; staff were directed to proceed with final drafting and return on the proposed timeline.