Chino Valley planning commission forwards revised definitions for solar and land-use terms to town council

The Chino Valley Planning and Zoning Commission voted unanimously Oct. 1 to forward a text amendment that adds and revises definitions in the Town of Chino Valley Unified Development Ordinance, clearing preparatory language ahead of a full solar ordinance staff plans to bring in November.

Assistant Director for Development Services Will Dingy told commissioners the changes aim to fix gaps in the town code while a comprehensive zoning rewrite proceeds, which staff estimates could take about 18 months. Dingy read proposed language that includes definitions for battery energy storage systems (BESS), decommissioning plans, solar facility and array, private versus public utilities, ‘‘knuckle’’ and cul-de-sac frontage calculations, tracts and lots, utility generation facilities, and wildlife linkages identified by the Arizona Game and Fish Department. He said a…