Chino Valley planning commission forwards utility-scale solar ordinance to council after heated public comment and amended setback language

Chino Valley, Ariz. — The Planning and Zoning Commission on Jan. 7 voted to forward TA2024-04, a proposed amendment to Chapter 4 of the Town of Chino Valley Unified Development Ordinance that would set procedures and standards for utility-scale solar projects, to the Town Council with a recommendation of approval “as presented by staff and as amended at this meeting.” The motion passed 5-1.

The amendment would not approve any specific solar farm or change property zoning; it would create rules that a future developer must meet if a project is proposed. Will Dingy, assistant director for development services, told the commission, “This is not a request for a zone change. This is not a project approval.” He described the draft ordinance as a package of standards and permitting steps that include a refined solar facility use permit process, a required water-usage plan, a property- and weed-maintenance plan, drainage and stormwater pollution-prevention requirements and provisions for decommissioning and financial surety.

The town packet included comment letters from developers and trade groups — Prospect 14, LightSource BP and the Arizona Solar Energy Industry Association — asking for looser limits on acreage, smaller setbacks, taller panel heights, fewer noise restrictions and more flexible construction hours. Developers argued that utility-scale projects can bring jobs and local revenue. James Lestrange, a…