Bluff to prioritize solar zoning; council schedules joint session with planning and zoning

At a March 11 Bluff Town Council work session members agreed to accelerate work on zoning to govern solar and other alternative energy installations and scheduled a joint session with the Planning and Zoning Commission for March 20, 2025.

Why it matters: Council members said solar projects are appearing across town and the town lacks explicit zoning language to treat solar consistently. Without local rules, large projects could arrive without clear standards for siting, safety, height limits or review processes.

Discussion highlights

- Priority and schedule: Multiple council members and planning commissioners present said the issue has come up repeatedly and should not be delayed another three months. The council agreed to a joint meeting on or near March 20 to develop an approach and to assign follow-up work.

- Scope and approach: Council members debated whether to target solar alone or include broader “alternative energy” (wind turbines, small-scale wind, etc.). Several members recommended starting with solar since it is already appearing in town; others noted smaller wind systems exist but said large wind fields were unlikely for Bluff.

- Legal form: Staff reported the town’s attorney said either a text amendment to the zoning ordinance or a standalone zoning ordinance could accomplish the goal. Members noted any land-use regulation will require a public hearing.

- Staffing and technical help: Josh Ewing (named in the transcript as a resource) was suggested as someone who could assist with drafting; Planning and Zoning member Amanda expressed interest in working as the local point person.

Next steps and outcome

Council directed staff and planning staff to treat solar zoning as a priority and to proceed with a joint council/Planning & Zoning work session on or about March 20. Staff will reach out to Josh Ewing and others with experience drafting solar ordinances to prepare materials for the joint meeting. No ordinance or amendment was adopted at this session.

Speakers (as identified in the transcript)

- Josh Ewing — Staff member / consultant (as referenced in transcript) - Amanda — Planning & Zoning participant (as referenced in transcript) - Anne — Council member (as referenced in transcript) - Erin — Staff member

Authorities referenced

- Town zoning code and master fee schedule (code/policy) — discussed as the place to add solar language; public hearing requirement noted.

Actions

- referral: Schedule joint Planning & Zoning and Council session to draft solar zoning language (target date March 20, 2025); outcome: scheduled; notes: staff to contact Josh Ewing and prepare draft materials for joint session.

Discussion vs. decision

- Discussion: scope (solar versus broader alternative energy), legal form (text amendment vs new ordinance), public hearing requirement and assignment of staff/consultant resources. - Direction: schedule joint session and prepare draft zoning language. - Formal action: none taken at March 11 meeting.

Clarifying details

- Meeting target: joint Planning & Zoning and Council session targeted for March 20, 2025 (time referenced in transcript: 4 to 7 p.m., joint work session)

Community relevance

- Geographies: Bluff town limits and incorporated lands discussed in county-level zoning conversations - Impact groups: property owners proposing solar, neighbors, Planning & Zoning, town staff

Meeting context

- Engagement level: moderate (multiple council and P&Z participants), matter flagged as near-term priority - Implementation risk: low-to-medium (legal form clear; main work is drafting and public hearing)

Searchable tags:["solar zoning","renewable energy","planning and zoning","Bluff"]

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