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Shawnee County planners outline draft solar regulations; propose 240-acre cap, setbacks and decommissioning requirements
Summary
Shawnee County planning staff presented a draft of solar energy conversion system regulations to the Planning Commission, proposing a 240-acre project-size cap, spacing and setback requirements, mandatory decommissioning plans and financial assurance, and further review requirements for operating projects.
Planning staff presented a draft of solar energy conversion system (SECS) regulations and solicited input from the Shawnee County Planning Commission on key provisions including allowable zones, project size limits, setbacks, decommissioning and financial assurances.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Herrine Perez said personal solar installations intended for an owner’s on-site use would be allowed in any zoning district and permitted through building permits, but larger utility-scale or commercial SECS would be allowed only by conditional-use permit in RA, RR, I-1 and I-2 zones. Perez proposed prohibiting all SECS within mapped special flood hazard areas (including floodplain and floodway) based on guidance from a Division of Water Resources engineer who recommended avoiding floodplain siting to reduce permitting complexity and potential engineering requirements.
Among the draft standards Perez described: a proposed maximum project boundary of 240 acres, a rule…
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