Simpson County holds first reading on ordinance to require conditional-use permits for 'Advanced Technology Centers'

Simpson County Fiscal Court members on Nov. 18 approved for first reading Ordinance No. 440.70, which would require facilities designated as Advanced Technology Centers or Integrated Energy Systems within Simpson County to obtain conditional-use permits from the county’s Planning & Zoning board and Board of Adjustments.

County legal counsel, citing guidance from the Department for Local Government, described the ordinance as a regulatory mechanism rather than an outright ban: if adopted it would require covered facilities to apply to P&Z and allow the Board of Adjustments to set local conditions. The ordinance text as presented to the court would provide a 180-day compliance window for any existing facilities to file and comply with conditional-use requirements.

Enforcement language in the first-reading text includes potential civil penalties of up to $10,000 per day for each day of continued noncompliance, immediate revocation of land-use or business permits, and legal remedies including injunctive relief. The court’s minutes note that the ordinance applies countywide (both incorporated and unincorporated areas) and that the intention is to give the county authority to impose conditions and local regulations by permitting rather than by blanket bans.

The motion for first reading passed on a recorded vote with Magistrates Marty Chandler, Scott Poston and Myron Thurman and Judge Barnes voting yes and West Magistrate Jeffrey Burr recused. The ordinance remains at first reading and would require further hearings or readings before adoption. The minutes do not include specific examples of facilities targeted by the ordinance, nor do they describe permit fees or the administrative process in full.