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Planning commission approves solar project; councilors and residents raise appeal and oversight questions
Summary
The Bastrop planning and zoning commission approved a special-use permit for a solar installation at the former mill site; council members and residents said they were not notified and asked whether the approval can be appealed and whether the city needs a dedicated solar-farm ordinance.
Debbie Rogers, the planning and zoning principal, told the council the commission approved three separate special-use permits during its recent meeting, including a proposal by Sunbeam Solar LLC to install a utility-scale solar array at the former mill site (705 Conyers Lane). The commission also authorized a car lot at 305 North Washington and an adult daycare at 1510 Elm Street.
Several council members said they were surprised the solar permit had not been brought to the council for review. Councilmember Bradford said a special-use permit that “brings a company to Bastrop” should come before the full council so council members can consult constituents. Others pressed planning staff for the procedural basis: Rogers explained certain uses in that zoning district are allowed by special permit at the planning commission level under the city’s zoning rules.
Appeals process and legal path: City Attorney Jones explained the local appeals process: decisions by the planning commission may be appealed to a board of appeals (sometimes called the board of adjustments) within a statutory window (transcript discussion referenced a typical 10-day appeal window), and only thereafter to district court; in practice some appeals also go back to council depending on local ordinance structure. Rogers and staff agreed to supply copies of recent permits and clarifying charts to the council prior to future meetings.
Community concerns and next steps: Several council members and residents voiced concern that no broad public notice or council briefing had preceded the solar permit approval, that potential environmental impacts and visual impacts be examined, and that the city lacked a specific “solar farm” ordinance that would set siting and setback standards. Attorney Jones recommended that the council consider adopting a solar-farm ordinance to establish clear standards rather than rely on ad hoc special-permit approvals going forward.
Ending: Planning staff agreed to give council members copies of the permits the commission approved and to return with guidance on appeals and a proposal for a solar ordinance and clearer notice procedures.
