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Advisory commission outlines zoning changes on lot splits, easements and energy production
Summary
Members previewed a packet of zoning revisions—adjusting lot-split rules, clarifying road-frontage/easement language and adding an energy-production zoning category for larger solar farms and turbines—and agreed to put the items on the next agenda and forward them to the commissioners for advertisement.
John Hauser summarized several zoning items the advisory commission has raised repeatedly and proposed drafting specific revisions for the commissioners to consider.
Hauser outlined three priorities: replace the perpetual "split" rule with a more measured schedule (examples included multi-year limits before a parcel can be split again); fix the road-frontage and easement language so an easement does not inadvertently reduce required frontage (options included increasing the frontage requirement from 100 feet to 150 feet or requiring unencumbered frontage); and add explicit land-use language for energy production so any solar farm, battery storage or wind turbine that produces more than a single-home or farm supply would fall under a defined zoning category and public-review process.
Hauser noted recent state-level proposals (House Bill 1333) that attempted to classify some energy projects as agricultural uses under limited conditions but said that proposal had stalled; the advisory commission preferred a local zoning definition so the county retains review authority. Members asked staff to place these items on the next agenda, refine language and forward a packet to the county commissioners so the items could be advertised and considered together at the commissioners' hearing.
The advisory commission did not change zoning at the meeting; it voted to prepare final proposals for formal action in a future meeting.
