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Planning commission reports year-end activity; county to refine battery storage rules
Summary
Saline County planning staff reported 2024 zoning work including a commercial solar resolution adopted by the commission and ongoing review of battery energy storage system (BESS) regulations after public comment. Commissioners were told BESS rules will return later this spring for review and coordination with the city.
Saline County planning staff on Feb. 4 reported 2024 activity that included adoption of commercial utility-scale solar provisions and continued work to craft rules for battery energy storage systems.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Tim Hamilton summarized the year’s work and said the planning commission spent much of 2024 drafting a resolution that established provisions for commercial solar farm installations; that resolution was approved by the County Commission in August. "The remainder of the year was spent reviewing and considering information on battery energy storage systems," Hamilton said, adding the planning commission recommended approval of draft BESS provisions and that staff is coordinating code language with the city so commercial permit reviews align across jurisdictions.
Why it matters: commercial solar and battery storage regulations determine siting, safety and permit requirements for large energy projects and have drawn sustained public input. Hamilton said public comments helped shape safety-related provisions within the solar resolution and that planners are attempting to include comparable measures in the BESS language.
Professional input and public comment: commissioners asked whether outside professional consultants were retained for technical advice on BESS. Hamilton said planning staff and commissioners conducted research, reviewed national standards and received input from potential developers, but that no outside professional consultant provided a formal analysis to the planning commission; staff said additional review and coordination with the city remain underway.
Budget and permits: Hamilton also provided 2024 financial figures for Planning, Zoning and Environmental Health — revenues of $125,889.59 and expenditures of $237,615.89 — and noted revenue increased from 2023 in part because staff collected delinquent accounts.
Next steps: Hamilton said the draft BESS regulations will be returned to the County Commission for consideration after staff and city planners align permit language; the county administrator later said the rules are expected back in late March or April for formal action. The planning commission will continue to consider additional zoning and subdivision amendments in implementation of the county’s comprehensive plan.
Ending: Commissioners urged staff to document technical sources and national standards used to draft the rules; planners said that information will be part of the package brought back for formal consideration.
