Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Land Use Solar topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Keith County OKs two conditional-use permits for solar arrays, requires full decommissioning surety
Summary
The Keith County Board approved two conditional-use permits for solar-generation facilities — one south of Paxton and a 500 kW site near Lakeview Road — adding conditions that include a haul-road agreement, a site-as-presented restriction and a surety bond that remains in place for the project’s life. Commissioners voted unanimously.
The Keith County Board of Commissioners approved two conditional‑use permits for solar arrays Tuesday, adding specific conditions intended to protect county roads and ensure decommissioning funds are available if projects end.
The board approved conditional‑use permit No. 2413 (a solar array south of Paxton) and No. 2414 (a 500‑kilowatt array with battery storage near Lakeview Road), each with three conditions: a haul‑road agreement with the county, a requirement that the development occur “as presented” in the site plan, and a requirement that a surety bond or comparable account remain intact to cover the total decommissioning cost for the duration of the project.
The presenter described the lease term as 25 years and said the permit language should require the surety bond to remain in force for the entire project life. “There is a surety bond in place that remains intact for the total cost of decommissioning during the entire time of the project,” the presenter said, repeating the condition the planning commission and staff recommended.
Commissioners pressed for clarity on how decommissioning costs would be adjusted over time and whether residual salvage value (for metal recycling and other materials) would be credited. One commissioner asked whether escalators or periodic re‑estimates should be built into the bond; the presenter said options were listed to let the board choose an approach.
A member of the public, Justin Fote, urged the county to form a stakeholder group that would include bond issuers, landowners and environmental representatives to guide future projects.
For the Lakeview Road site, staff noted that planning staff had recommended denial due to the surrounding land use, but the presenter supplied photographs showing distances to nearby homes; commissioners applied the same three conditions before approving that permit as well.
Both motions passed by roll‑call vote. The board’s action does not change lease or financing terms; it conditions the county’s land‑use approval on agreements and financial assurances intended to protect county infrastructure and ensure decommissioning funding.
