Planning Commission agrees to form subcommittee to review solar policy and on‑site power generation language

County planning staff told the commission the Board of Supervisors asked two tasks of the planning commission: review an industrial zoning amendment related to on‑site power generation and review the county's solar policy with an eye toward codifying it into the zoning ordinance, noting potential state legislative changes that could take effect July 1.

Staff recommended a small subcommittee — generally the planning commission chair plus one member — to gather findings and return them for a commission work session. The staff presentation said on‑site power generation could, depending on language, be treated as an ancillary use for an industrial facility or as a use requiring a special use permit in industrial districts.

Commissioners agreed to prioritize the solar policy. One commissioner volunteered, citing prior experience with solar farms. Staff said she would coordinate schedules with the county administrator and county attorney and bring meeting times and findings back to the commission prior to a March work session; if ready, the commission could place the recommendation on the March regular meeting agenda.

The subcommittee will gather comparative research on how neighboring localities treat industrial overlays and on‑site generation, draft recommended ordinance language, and identify findings for the full planning commission to consider. Staff described the subcommittee's role as research and drafting; final decisions will be made by the full planning commission and, if approved, recommended to the Board of Supervisors.

Next steps: staff will coordinate subcommittee scheduling and legal review and return draft findings to the planning commission for additional review in March.