Committee sends wind and solar ordinance updates to full board amid public questions about data centers and agrivoltaics
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Summary
Committee approved forwarding updated wind and solar ordinances (to align with state statute and protect county infrastructure) to the full board; residents asked whether solar projects must disclose links to AI data centers and whether agrivoltaics or chemical-use limits could be required.
The committee voted to send updated wind and solar ordinances to the full board after staff said statutory changes require revisions and the county needs procedures (including FAA notification for airport proximity and road‑use agreements) before applications arrive.
Josh explained the process: application fees will cover hearing officers and county costs and public hearings will be scheduled within 30 days of application receipt. "We'll have the public hearing… and she's also gonna post those on the website as well," he said, describing the notice process for neighbors and interested residents.
Members and residents pressed for more detail on several fronts. One resident asked whether solar projects must disclose if they will support AI data centers; staff said they would expect the application to show site layout and that the county could post the application and hearing notice online. Another resident urged the county and developers to consider agrivoltaics (combining agriculture with solar panels) and better on-site practices to reduce chemical use; staff noted some practices are governed by a state agricultural impact mitigation agreement.
Committee members emphasized they have limited discretion if an application complies with state statute but can use hearing procedures to ensure compliance with required protections. Both ordinances were forwarded to the full board for final action.
