Planning commission pulls proposed solar ordinance, requests joint workshop with Board of Supervisors

The Washington County Planning Commission voted unanimously to remove a proposed solar ordinance from the meeting agenda and request a joint workshop with the Board of Supervisors before the board’s next meeting, the commission announced during its Jan. 27, 2025, session.

Commissioners moved to pull the ordinance after members said the proposed draft differed substantially from the existing ordinance and needed additional review with the board. The commission also voted to recess and reconvene on Feb. 11 at 6:30 p.m. for a hoped-for joint meeting with the Board of Supervisors.

The action came after commissioners said they had expected only minor edits but, upon reading the draft, found larger changes. A commissioner asked whether the change could proceed after a public hearing had already been advertised; staff reported the county attorney and county administrator indicated the proposed handling would satisfy advertising requirements.

During the public-comment period, Gary Hurrell, owner of Elevation Energy,…