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Warren County introduces new zoning officer; staff reports permit uptick and solar-farm proposals
Summary
The Warren County Board of Commissioners introduced Aubrey Gonzales as the county's new zoning officer and heard staff updates on fee-schedule changes, new payment options, an increase in permits, several proposed solar farms, and uncertain regional broadband funding.
The Warren County Board of Commissioners introduced Aubrey Gonzales as the county's new zoning officer and received a staff report saying the county has updated its fee schedule, begun accepting credit-card payments for permits, and is seeing more construction permits and development inquiries.
Gonzales, in her second week on the job, reported that the county updated its subdivision application after reviewing other municipalities’ forms and that the county is accepting credit-card payments over the phone or through a payment provider’s website, although staff said they prefer to avoid third-party website processing because it is more cumbersome to track.
The update said construction activity is increasing: apartment permit activity appears higher than in recent years, and Warren County is receiving more permit applications from Farmington Township after that jurisdiction resumed zoning late last year. Staff noted continued processing of several pending divisions and projects.
Staff also described three separate development inquiries for solar farms in the west part of the county: two smaller proposals of about 20–30 acres each and a larger prospective site of a little more than 100 acres. All three sites are on farmland, staff said. For the larger project, the developer supplied a prospective site plan and described using agrivoltaic practices — planting pollinator-friendly species beneath panels instead of relying on grazing sheep. Staff reported having received documentation from Commonwealth sources recognizing pollinator plantings as a viable practice for such projects.
Other development notes included a near-complete Kinsey Federal Credit Union building; staff said the parking lot was about to be paved and the planned opening was expected in April or May but could be delayed by weather.
On regional broadband, staff said a nonprofit, Coco Net, has formed and is discussing hiring an employee, but that the county is waiting for federal or regional announcements about funding. Staff relayed a communication from Shana at the Northwest Commission indicating uncertainty about continuation of a 10-county program, noting that some states may be losing funds amid federal changes; staff said the county is monitoring the situation.
County staff said they continue weekly coordination meetings and will provide updates as projects advance. No formal action or vote was taken on the solar proposals during the meeting.
