Commission considers adding county's solar energy policy to comprehensive plan to guide future reviews

Planning staff asked the commission to add the county's recently adopted solar energy policy to the comprehensive plan as a first-phase amendment, saying that would give the policy weight during future 2232 plan reviews for solar facilities.

"This is a fairly, simple proposal...to take the newly adopted solar energy policy that has been created within the last 6 months and add that as an addendum to our comprehensive plan," staff said. Staff also pointed out a current gap in the policy: it does not address projects smaller than 5 megawatts or 50 acres, leaving smaller facilities outside that guidance.

One commissioner described the policy's 100-acre threshold as arbitrary and urged the commission to consider language to allow larger projects in out-of-sight locations or on land not suitable for agriculture. "I think the 100 acres is arbitrary," a commissioner said, adding that there may be locations not visible from highways or residences where larger solar fields could be appropriate. Staff replied that the comment was valid and that the comprehensive plan amendment could later incorporate tailored language or exceptions.

Staff framed the amendment as a "phase 1" step: adding the policy to the comprehensive plan to give staff and the commission a clear standard when evaluating whether a solar facility is consistent with county goals. The commission did not take a formal vote during the work session; staff said the item would be presented at the main meeting where the public may provide feedback.