Sumter County grants second reading to stricter solar‑farm rules, sets 200‑ft setbacks and 125% decommissioning surety

Sumter County Council voted unanimously on Nov. 28 to grant second reading to OA‑23‑01, an amendment to the county’s zoning ordinance that adds and tightens standards for large‑scale photovoltaic solar energy systems.

Planning Director Helen Roodman briefed council on the proposed changes, which would treat primary (ground‑mounted) photovoltaic solar facilities as special‑exception uses in the Agricultural Conservation, Conservation Preservation, Light Industrial‑Warehouse and Heavy Industrial zoning districts. The ordinance as presented would require a 200‑foot setback from all property lines, a minimum 50‑foot evergreen buffer along road rights‑of‑way and where sites abut residential parcels, limitations on panel height, underground electrical interconnections where reasonably practical, and specific pollinator‑habitat best practices for sites in AC and CP districts. The proposal also requires a recorded decommissioning plan and a form of surety equal to 125% of estimated decommissioning costs, with engineer estimates reviewed every five years.

Roodman said the planning staff updated the definition of a primary photovoltaic system to include battery storage and accessory interconnection equipment and emphasized that special‑exception review would give the Board of Zoning Appeals authority to impose site‑specific conditions.

Speakers at the public hearing were divided. Several farmers, including Ashley Goza and Clay Lowder, opposed broad solar development on agricultural land, citing soil impacts, habitat loss and uncertainty about long‑term disposal of batteries and equipment. Shaw Air Force Base representative Ashley Nichols told council the base supports the ordinance because it creates a formal review and notification process that helps mitigate potential impacts on military operations: “Shaw AFB appreciates the continued development dialogue and collaboration with Sumter County,” she said. Jay Schwedler of the Development Board explained that while solar projects typically bring fewer local jobs, they generate tax revenue through fee‑in‑lieu agreements and that the board is responding to developer interest.

Council discussed whether the 50‑foot buffer and other provisions were adequate and asked planning staff to meet with concerned neighbors prior to third reading. Planning staff said two solar applications are pending before the Board of Zoning Appeals in December; depending on timing, one application may be reviewed under the existing ordinance while the other would be subject to the new rules if approved.

What happens next: Council granted second reading; staff will meet with community representatives to refine language before third reading and the Planning Department and Board of Zoning Appeals will process pending applications under applicable rules.