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County outlines timeline to draft local solar and wind rules as moratorium deadline approaches
Summary
Boone County commissioners said county planners and an APC consultant are working on zoning amendments for solar and wind projects; a county moratorium is in place for a second year and commissioners said state guidance limits moratoriums longer than one year, so local code updates are being prioritized before March 1, 2026.
Boone County commissioners told residents at a public meeting that staff and the Area Plan Commission are working with a consultant to draft zoning amendments for large-scale solar and wind projects before a local moratorium expires next year.
Commissioner (unnamed) said the county is in year one of a two-year moratorium on solar and wind projects, and that "the state has come in and done what the state does and said that moratoriums that exceed more than 1 year, will be voided." The commissioners said they have engaged the APC director and a consultant and that there will be public involvement in drafting a proposed UDO zoning amendment, aiming for a draft by January or February of next year so the county is prepared if the moratorium lifts March 1, 2026.
The nut graf: With the moratorium approaching its end and state-level limits on multi-year moratoria, county staff described an accelerated schedule to complete a zoning amendment for the Unified Development Ordinance (UDO), accompanied by public outreach and consultant work.
Commissioners said they have received several emails on the topic and that the APC director is prioritizing the project. The APC's consultant understands the issue is a top priority, the commissioners said, and public engagement on potential ordinance language is expected. No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; the item was informational and directional only.
Ending: The commission indicated it will continue interoffice coordination with the APC and the consultant and seek public input as the UDO amendment is drafted over the coming months ahead of the moratorium’s scheduled lapse.
