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Commission urges clearer motion wording after solar project classification caused confusion
Summary
After a recent solar/battery application was misread as final approval at a lower review level, the commission discussed clarifying motion language or tabling when classification is uncertain to avoid misleading applicants or utilities.
Commissioners used the meeting to review a procedural problem from a recent solar/battery application in which the project's classification (level 2 versus level 3 review) was misunderstood. Staff and commissioners said the commission’s phrasing of a motion can be read by applicants or utilities as definitive local approval, creating confusion when the county or commissioners later reclassify a project.
An unidentified commissioner summarized the lesson: "We need to be really careful on how our motions are made in here," and said that the solar company treated the prior motion as a final approval. Commissioners discussed options including adding explanatory wording to motions, tabling items until more information is available, or explicitly noting that forwarding a recommendation does not equal final approval.
No formal action was taken beyond the discussion. Commissioners asked staff to be more precise in motion language and to consider tabling when classification or jurisdictional authority is uncertain.
