After public comments, commissioners ask staff for work session to reconcile solar siting and agricultural preservation
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Summary
During open administrative session commissioners raised conflicts between agricultural preservation policies and recent solar siting outcomes. They asked staff to research other counties' approaches and schedule a work session to develop policy and legal strategies to better protect farmland and strengthen the county's legal position.
Commissioners said public comments and recent legal challenges leave the county vulnerable on solar siting over agricultural lands and asked staff to present options and examples from other jurisdictions.
One commissioner said, "One thing I've been trying to do some homework on is the solar issue and what we should be doing to be more proactive about giving us a better chance of winning some of these lawsuits," and asked staff to schedule a work session and pull together policies used by other counties. Other commissioners agreed the county should document the conflicts between ag preservation and solar siting and develop talking points and legal strategies to present to the administration and committees.
County staff and commissioners discussed the need for clear policy priorities that would align agricultural preservation goals with siting policy, and to explore where solar development may be preferentially sited to avoid converting productive farmland. Several commissioners supported scheduling a focused work session and consulting outside counsel who previously assisted the county on litigation matters.
Staff will prepare materials and invite relevant stakeholders to a work session to be scheduled during a future agenda.