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Zion Council OKs Easement for Solar Project at Closed Seventeenth Street Landfill
Summary
The Zion City Council granted an access and electric easement July 16 allowing a solar developer to build, maintain and remove a solar array and associated access at the closed Seventeenth Street landfill (Landfill 2). Council approved the easement unanimously after staff confirmed it advances the landfill redevelopment plan.
The Zion City Council on July 16 unanimously approved an access and electric easement that will allow a solar developer to build and service a solar collection facility on the city's closed Seventeenth Street landfill.
City staff described the measure as a step in a multi-phase project. "This is our portion of Landfill 2. They already have approval on Landfill 1," Director Roberts said, explaining the easement "will allow construction, installation, maintenance, and removal of the solar collection facility and for pedestrian, vehicle and equipment access necessary to ingress and egress." Commissioner Fisher made the motion to approve and Commissioner Holmes seconded; the roll-call vote was 5-0.
Why it matters: Reusing closed landfill property for renewable energy can create municipal revenue or energy supply opportunities without developing greenfield land, while posing site-specific construction and permitting challenges. Staff told the council Sea Energy Power (referenced in remarks) will handle the project on the city's portion of Landfill 2 and that other approvals already exist for the adjacent Landfill 1 site.
Details and process: Staff said the easement covers construction and future maintenance activities and that minimum bid or compensation details will be finalized in staff-level agreements. Council asked only clarifying questions about whether the approval moves the project forward; staff responded it does and that the company is scheduling permit steps. The motion carried unanimously.
Next steps: Staff and the developer will proceed with permitting and site access arrangements described in the easement; the council did not set additional conditions at the meeting.
