Huntington council approves letter opposing nearby solar project, backs local business licenses and code updates
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Summary
The Huntington City Council voted to send a letter opposing a proposed utility‑scale solar field east of town, approved a business license for a mobile ice‑cream vendor and an amendment for a diesel shop, and passed code updates on animal control and geotechnical review.
Huntington City Council on April 14 approved a letter from the mayor expressing the city's opposition to a proposed solar‑energy facility east of town and approved several routine and regulatory items, including business‑license actions and code amendments.
Mayor Leonard Norton read a draft letter the city intends to send to Emery County commissioners, representatives of Dorril Renewables and Governor Spencer Cox, asking that county leaders and developers ‘‘work collaboratively with Huntington City to identify alternative allocation locations.'' The mayor told the council that, taken together with existing and planned projects, the newest proposed solar installation could leave Huntington “completely surrounded by solar panels,” a concern the letter frames around land‑use compatibility, habitat impacts, decommissioning responsibilities and future growth constraints.
The council moved and approved sending the letter; members agreed the mayor could add councilmembers' names to the letter if they wish. The council also approved a business license for Shorty Sugar Shack LLC, an ice‑cream truck, subject to health‑department sign‑off, and an amendment for Johnson's Diesel to add a towing service and tow yard while noting state fencing/opacity requirements must be met.
In the same meeting the council held a public hearing and passed Ordinance 3‑2026 to amend Chapter 5‑2 (animal control) to add an appeal process tied to the existing board of appeals, and to amend Chapter 8 to require geotechnical soil analyses for subdivisions, multifamily residential developments, duplexes, manufactured‑home parks, RV parks and similar multi‑unit projects. Staff emphasized geotechnical reports are intended to prevent widespread soil disturbance problems and protect long‑term community stability.
The council approved a purchase of new fire department uniforms from a retention fund to improve appearance and retention. All motions described above passed by voice vote.
Next steps: the city will send the solar opposition letter to county and state officials, finalize the Shorty Sugar Shack license once the health‑department sign‑off is received, and implement the amended code provisions through the planning and zoning process.