Planning commission approves comprehensive plan changes to address utility‑scale alternative energy
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Summary
The Pennington County Planning Commission voted Feb. 23 to approve two comprehensive plan amendments that direct utility‑scale wind and solar systems into industrial zoning and update implementation language; commissioners debated procedural history, environmental concerns, and FAA/military notification rules.
The Pennington County Planning Commission on Feb. 23 approved two amendments to the county comprehensive plan intended to guide utility‑scale alternative energy projects into industrial zoning districts.
Planning Director Britney Hamm told the commission the Board of Commissioners asked staff to amend the plan to align the county’s land‑use guidance with the board’s direction on utility‑scale wind and solar. "The findings of this planning commission and certain items from this agenda are recommendations to the Pennington County Board of Commissioners who will make the final decision," Hamm said.
Commissioners discussed the process that led to the changes. One commissioner criticized the path the proposals had taken to the board, saying the planning commission’s vetting role was being diminished. Another commissioner responded that the county had used a yearlong moratorium and a multi‑member committee to examine utility‑scale projects and that the committee’s work informed the proposed amendments. "So why I'm saying that is because you have a 1 year moratorium," the commissioner said, noting the committee had identified issues such as battery storage, decommissioning and potential leaching from panels.
Staff and commissioners also discussed technical and siting constraints for utility‑scale systems. Hamm said military and FAA compatibility rules require notification for projects within five miles of runways and that is part of the implementation considerations. A commissioner asked how much land is zoned industrial; Hamm said there are roughly 1,500 acres of industrial‑zoned property in the county, mostly concentrated in one area with some parcels north of town.
A motion to approve COCA26‑0001 (land use/housing element) passed on a voice vote. The chair later stated that two commissioners voted against COCA26‑0001, identifying himself and Commissioner Matt as the dissenting votes. The commission then approved COCA26‑0002 (implementation element) on a separate voice vote.
The commission’s action is a recommendation; the Board of Commissioners will consider the amendments at its regular meeting on Mar. 3, 2026, at 9:30 a.m.
The commission also recorded several procedural continuations and consent‑agenda approvals at the meeting.