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Lancaster Board approves comprehensive‑plan and zoning changes tightening rules for small residential solar
Summary
The Lancaster County Board of Supervisors on Dec. 11 approved amendments to the comprehensive plan and zoning code that add a special‑exception requirement and other limits for small, ground‑mounted residential solar installations, following Planning Commission recommendations and no public opposition submitted before the hearings.
The Lancaster County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Dec. 11 to amend Chapter 6 of the comprehensive plan and related zoning definitions to tighten rules for small, ground‑mounted residential solar structures.
Planning staffer Miss Hall told the board the Planning Commission recommended the changes by a 6–1 vote after reviewing complaints about an existing residential solar facility and staff research on size, height, location and noise. County Attorney Jim Cornwell advised that adding a special‑exception requirement for all small ground‑mounted residential solar installations required an update to the comprehensive plan before the zoning code could be amended.
After a brief presentation and no public comments submitted in advance, a board member moved to adopt the comprehensive‑plan change; the motion passed unanimously. The board then heard a second, related public hearing on amendments to Part 1 (definitions) and Article 28 (utility‑scale and small‑scale solar) of the Lancaster County land development code. Miss Hall said the packet included solar permit data for 2024–25 and redline language showing the proposed edits, which add a special‑exception pathway and clarify distinctions among residential, agricultural/commercial and utility installations.
A separate motion to adopt the zoning‑code changes carried by unanimous voice vote. Miss Hall said the changes were developed to ensure the ordinance's intent and actual installations align, particularly regarding ground‑mounted residential systems.
The board did not receive oral public testimony during the hearings. Board members did not propose amendments on the floor before the votes. The changes will mean small residential ground‑mounted solar structures now require an approved special exception under the county's revised planning and zoning rules; implementation steps and effective dates were not specified at the meeting.
The board adjourned to other business after the votes. The county packet includes the proposed language and the Planning Commission minutes and staff research referenced at the hearing.
