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Planners move solar energy draft toward public hearing; battery storage barred pending separate rules
Summary
Shawnee County planning staff incorporated earlier feedback into a draft solar energy conversion ordinance and the Planning Commission by consensus asked staff to advance the draft to public hearings while leaving battery storage prohibited for now pending possible future rules.
Planning staff presented a revised draft of solar energy conversion regulations and the Planning Commission, by consensus, directed staff to begin public-notice and hearing steps while leaving battery storage prohibited as an appurtenant facility for now.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Harine Perez said she incorporated prior comments into the draft and recommended that battery energy-storage systems be prohibited as an appurtenant facility to solar projects at this time rather than attempting to craft a full, separate battery-storage regulatory framework. Perez explained that battery storage can be either appurtenant to solar or an independent facility and that allowing storage without wider policy consideration could unintentionally narrow or shape the types of solar projects the county could host. "I stated on number 7, that battery storage systems as an appurtenant facility to a solar energy conversion system project is prohibited," she said, adding that staff could later draft battery-storage regulations if the county chooses to allow them.
Commissioners discussed timing and venue for public hearings and staff said it would likely be prudent to publish the draft on the county website, send notices to parties who requested prior notifications during wind/solar discussions, and schedule a public hearing after adequate publication time — likely in September rather than the August meeting because of statutory/publication timing.
Commissioners did not take a formal binding vote but by consensus asked staff to proceed with public-notice steps and prepare for public hearings. Staff said it will solicit input from stakeholders, publish the draft when ready and invite public comment; if public comment and further commission deliberations require changes, the commission can amend the draft at public hearing or schedule additional sessions.
No final regulatory action was taken; staff will move forward with outreach and scheduling for a public hearing on the draft regulations.
