Lexington council approves amended zoning rules on utility-scale solar, sets work group to refine standards

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council voted 14-0 on Aug. 19 to advance a revised zoning ordinance text amendment on solar energy systems to first reading Aug. 28, following extended public comment and several council amendments that limited how much agricultural land could be used for private large-scale solar and added environmental and procedural requirements.

The ordinance as amended directs that large-scale ground-mounted solar in agricultural areas be capped at a level computed as 1 percent of Fayette County’s total land area, adds vegetative/land-management and decommissioning expectations, and requires specific application materials and community-facing processes when intermediate- and large-scale projects seek approval. Councilmembers also approved language encouraging (but not mandating) community benefit plans tied to large projects.

The council’s action was the culmination of a months-long process that began with a Planning Commission recommendation and a General Government and Planning Committee (GGP) discussion in July. Dozens of residents, farmers, business owners and industry representatives addressed the council during public comment, sharply divided over whether agrivoltaic approaches can protect farmland while expanding renewable energy.

“We support the amendment to the solar energy, system, SOTA, that would allow, development of ground mounted solar on 2% of agricultural land,” said Judith Humble, chair of the Bluegrass Climate Action Team, during public comment, urging the council to allow pilot projects that pair solar…