Grayson County fiscal court advances solar-energy ordinance in second reading, keeps 2,000-foot setback language

The Grayson County Fiscal Court on a second reading approved an ordinance establishing licensure and siting rules for large- and intermediate-scale solar energy generating facilities, including vegetation and fencing requirements and decommissioning rules.

County staff member Jeremy, who presented the ordinance language, said the draft was based on model ordinances used by other counties and that most of the rules apply to “merchant electric generating facility[s], specifically the solar type.” Jeremy told the court that a 2,000-foot setback for facilities adjoining residential neighborhoods, hospitals, nursing homes or schools is an automatic minimum set by state statute (Kentucky Revised Statutes), and that the state siting board may grant waivers.

“The setback, there’s a 2,000 automatic foot setback for these type facilities when they adjoin residential neighborhoods, hospitals, nursing homes, or schools,” Jeremy said, and added the county’s draft addresses adjoining property more broadly than the state minimum. He also said the county can adopt its own setback that is stricter or more permissive than the state minimum, but that the siting board can waive state-level minimums when applicants seek state construction certificates.

There was some confusion among members about different draft pages that include both 1,000- and 2,000-foot references; Jeremy said he had prepared versions that showed both figures and that the original model he circulated used 2,000 feet. After brief discussion and clarification about which draft text members had in hand, Fiscal Court members voted to approve the second reading as presented. The motion to pass the second reading was made by Ben and seconded by Darren; the court voiced its approval.

The ordinance text that passed the second reading covers licensure requirements, fencing and vegetation screening, decommissioning procedures, and setbacks for large- and intermediate-scale solar facilities. The ordinance distinguishes those systems from smaller residential or rooftop systems and directs a site review process intended to regulate interactions with neighboring properties.

The ordinance description references model language used by other Kentucky counties (including Christian County) and cites state statute and state siting-board processes; the draft also contained a cross-reference to a federal code provision on one page, but the transcript does not specify the federal citation.

Court members did not provide an ordinance number during the reading. No numeric vote tally was recorded in the transcript; the clerk called for a voice vote and members answered “Aye.”

Court members asked no follow-up votes or amendments at the second reading. The ordinance will remain in court records as passed on second reading; the transcript does not record whether a final (third) reading or adoption date was scheduled.