Planning commission to refine resident survey and hold work session amid heated solar‑ordinance debate
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Summary
Commissioners agreed to refine a proposed resident survey about the county's vision and to hold a short work session; the session sparked an extended discussion about a county solar ordinance, transmission capacity, tax treatment of solar projects and whether incentives should benefit local taxpayers.
The planning commission reviewed draft survey questions intended to gather Emery County residents’ priorities for future ordinances and development, including whether the county should impose restrictions on solar projects on private property. Staff proposed a mix of questions on quality of life, enforcement of county ordinances and whether residents want to restrict solar; commissioners agreed to reconvene for a focused work session to finalize wording and distribution logistics.
Commissioners stressed two concerns about the draft: (1) avoid wording that targets a single business and (2) ensure survey responses come from county residents. The body discussed distribution options including QR codes at city halls, social media and mailing to registered voters; commissioners recommended staff work with the tourism office and other departments that have experience with public surveys.
A broader, lengthy discussion on a county solar ordinance followed. Commissioners debated whether the county can, or should, restrict large‑scale solar on federal or state lands, how projects are taxed and whether project‑area incentives (CRA agreements) should be used. One commissioner summarized the fiscal context: "Since 2022 every county has lost over $446,000,000 in centrally assessed property," and warned that changes in centrally assessed valuations shift property‑tax burden to homeowners. Members discussed asking Rocky Mountain Power to brief the county on transmission capacity, and several urged the county to study how other counties structure ordinances and tax incentives.
Commissioners emphasized mitigation for neighboring properties — setbacks, runoff control, fencing, wildlife considerations — and noted future HB 16 requirements for decommissioning plans and financial security. The planning commission scheduled a short (morning) work session to pin down survey questions and to begin framing recommended language for the county commission on the solar ordinance.
What’s next: planning staff will circulate the draft survey for edits and convene a work session on March 20 at 9 a.m. (as scheduled in the meeting) to finalize survey questions. The commission asked staff to research other counties' ordinances and to invite utility representatives for an informational briefing on interconnection and transmission constraints before drafting a final ordinance recommendation.