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Bourbon County committee recommends 50-foot setbacks, fire plans and exploring zoning for industrial solar
Summary
A citizen-led industrial solar committee recommended 50-foot setbacks with two rows of conifers, coordinated fire-evacuation plans and urged the commission to consider zoning for commercial/industrial uses; commissioners agreed to work sessions and a public forum to address safety and enforcement concerns.
A citizen-appointed Industrial Solar Committee urged Bourbon County commissioners to adopt a set of measures intended to limit the local impact of large solar projects and to address fire-safety concerns.
At a commission meeting, committee chair Jim Heaton presented recommendations developed over multiple weeks, saying the group voted 4-3 in favor of a 50-foot setback along existing roads and adjacent properties, with two staggered rows of coniferous trees 5 to 6 feet tall planted at project start to screen views. Heaton said existing trees on property lines should remain and that adjacent landowners could sign waivers allowing setbacks to be reduced.
The committee also recommended that industrial solar developers create a strategic plan with rural fire departments and maintain an evacuation plan; monitoring equipment and other needed tools would be furnished by the project owner if required. Heaton said enforcement is complicated because the county currently lacks zoning and noted a 4-3 committee motion recommending the commission pursue zoning for commercial and industrial uses in the future.
The presentation included safety concerns about battery energy storage systems (BESS) tied to large solar installations. One speaker cited international tests and recent U.S. incidents to emphasize that large storage units can pose prolonged fire and contamination risks, and asked who would train volunteer fire departments and who would supply specialized firefighting equipment such as foam sprayers.
Commissioners said they wanted more work with the county fire marshal, the Kansas Fire Training Academy and project developers before finalizing any rules. Heaton told the board he expected the first construction could begin in November 2025 and additional projects in early 2026, giving the county time to hold work sessions and organize training.
Commissioners agreed to schedule a work session on setbacks and to consider a follow-up public forum to increase stakeholder engagement. The commission did not adopt an ordinance or zoning change at the meeting; members described the committee—s recommendations as a starting point for further staff and commission work.
The committee—s full recommendations and individual committee comments were submitted to the board as part of the meeting packet.
