Bluff planning considers solar and alternative-energy overlay zones, seeks mapping help

Bluff’s joint council and Planning & Zoning meeting on March 20, 2025, included a policy discussion about zoning to accommodate solar and other alternative energy projects.

A speaker identified as Anne (Council member) said the town had asked its attorney to draft solar‑specific ordinance language but had not yet received it. "We have asked our attorney to work on the solar piece, and we haven't received that," she said, and invited Planning & Zoning to indicate whether it wanted to lead the effort.

Planning commissioners described the overlay‑zone approach discussed in earlier meetings: designate areas within town where renewable energy developers could apply with clearer, possibly relaxed site standards, and identify interior‑town standards for smaller projects. "We were interested as a planning and zoning body in making a zone overlay map… picking areas that we feel like as a town might be appropriate for solar or wind," one commissioner said.

Commissioners and council members discussed mapping resources to support the overlay. The group mentioned relying on interns with mapping skills and contacting a regional development organization that may help with mapping; the transcript did not provide a final name for that organization. Anne said she could narrow the contact and that intern work could produce an interim PDF map for public use.

Council members also raised technical zoning questions that may accompany an overlay, such as setbacks, lot coverage and adjustments for small‑scale rooftop or in‑town solar. "Maybe we look at that. So I agree. We wanted to look at zoning for the big stuff, the solar farms, the wind farms… And then don't forget to do it for inside of town as well," a participant said.

Next steps: Planning & Zoning agreed to take the lead on drafting the overlay and to identify mapping resources; staff will follow up with the town attorney on the solar ordinance language and coordinate intern mapping assistance. No ordinance text or formal vote was taken at this meeting.

Ending: Commissioners expect to return draft overlay recommendations and supporting maps for further town review after attorney input and preliminary mapping work.