Planning board votes to recommend McPherson County comprehensive plan amendment that bans commercial wind and solar in unincorporated areas

The McPherson County Board of Planning and Zoning Appeals voted to recommend adoption of an amended comprehensive plan that adds a policy prohibiting commercial wind-energy and commercial solar farms on agricultural land in unincorporated McPherson County.

John Kinsey, the county zoning administrator, told the board during a public hearing on Nov. 11 that the plan is subject to annual review and that this year’s amendment — labeled policy 1.5 under land use — would state that “the use of agricultural land for the development of these type of commercial alternative sources of energy shall be prohibited in the unincorporated areas of McPherson County.” Kinsey said staff reviewed studies and local experience from Johnson and Douglas counties and raised concerns about “leaching” and equipment durability following long-term operation as part of the rationale for the policy.

During the public comment period Gary Fraunfelter of Marquette asked whether the measure was necessary given existing moratoria: Kinsey said the county had a moratorium on wind since about 2015 and on solar since about 2019, and that the amendment would put the restriction into the comprehensive plan rather than rely on temporary moratoria. Fraunfelter also questioned whether McPherson County shares the risk factors cited for other counties, noting differences in water tables and prior approvals in nearby jurisdictions.

After the hearing closed, the board moved to recommend the amended comprehensive plan to the Board of County Commissioners. The chair conducted a roll-call vote that recorded the following positions: Laurie Bauer — Aye; Chris Goodson — Aye; Kathy Nicholson — Aye; Jeff Smith — Nay; Jim Van Gogham — Aye; Raymond Williams — Nay; Christina Reynolds was not present for the roll call. The chair announced the motion passed with a 4–2 majority. The board’s recommendation will be considered by the Board of County Commissioners at a public meeting on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. in the County Office Building, 122 West Marlin, First Floor Conference Room, McPherson.

The decision is advisory: adoption into the county’s official comprehensive plan requires action by the Board of County Commissioners. Kinsey said a fuller, 20-year comprehensive-plan review is planned for 2025; the board limited this year’s amendment to the single policy change. No written communications from the public were entered into the record during the hearing.

Next procedural step: the Board of County Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Nov. 18 to consider formal adoption of the amended comprehensive plan.