The Reno County Commission approved a planning case to permit a limited-scale solar array proposed by Arc Valley on approximately 7.8 acres after a public hearing and question-and-answer session.

Commissioners and staff discussed the planning commission's review, decommissioning requirements and whether soil testing for contaminants should be required as a condition. Don Britton, director of public works, and other staff clarified that under the current limited-scale regulations the county requires surface restoration (contours and visible surface conditions) at decommissioning, but the rules adopted earlier did not require routine soil contaminant testing. Commissioners who raised concerns requested future regulation changes to add oversight elements (pre- and post-soil testing and periodic monitoring) but staff cautioned that adding such requirements post-application could expose the county to legal challenges because the applicant complied with regulations in place at the time of application.

Commissioner Boatner voted no; the permit passed on a 3-1 roll call. Staff and the applicant were reminded that the approved permit is subject to conditions in the adopted regulations and to future regulatory changes going through the planning process if the county elects to revise commercial or limited-scale solar rules.

The commission directed planning staff to continue work on commercial-scale solar regulations that could include more detailed testing, monitoring and enforcement language for future proposals.