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Planning administrator says Lincoln County comprehensive plan is near final; moratorium on energy uses may need extension
Summary
Lincoln County planning administrator Judy Clark told commissioners the consultant's draft comprehensive plan is close to completion but that staff will need more time for review and public engagement; the board discussed whether to extend a temporary moratorium on energy-related development that expires April 22.
Judy Clark, Lincoln County planning administrator, told commissioners the consultant's draft comprehensive plan is nearing completion and that staff and the consultant need to pin down dates for final review and public engagement before formal adoption.
Clark said she has a nearly complete future land-use map and shared draft wind and solar regulations with the planning commission leadership for review. She estimated the consultant's deliverable is about "90% done" from the consultant's view and about 80% complete from her staff's review; the consultant requested to meet with commissioners and members of the planning commission to walk through the draft before the plan is released for public meetings and public hearing.
Commissioners and staff discussed timing: the county has a moratorium on certain energy-related land uses that is set to expire April 22, and multiple commissioners said they would prefer not to rush the public-engagement process. Clark and commissioners agreed to try to pin down consultant availability and, if necessary, consider a moratorium extension to allow adequate town-hall style meetings, open houses and the required public hearings (planning commission recommendation and a final county commissioners hearing) before the moratorium lapses.
Clark said minor edits remain (typos, wording changes), that staff have suggested changes to industrial land-use designations in light of Fort of the Plains and Graybelle projects, and that she will press the consultant for firm dates at a conference this week. Commissioners asked staff to return with a timeline and, if the consultant cannot meet the public-engagement schedule, to propose a moratorium extension for consideration.
Ending The county will schedule follow-up meetings with the consultant and planning commission and will return to the board with a timeline; staff indicated they would consider a moratorium extension to preserve public engagement time if needed.
