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Commission approves 10.8‑acre Loveland solar plant with conditions including fencing and glare limits
Summary
The commission approved Danny Loveland’s conditional‑use permit for a 10.8‑acre ground‑mounted photovoltaic plant in A‑5 agricultural zone, subject to site fencing, decommissioning plan, undergrounding of internal lines when feasible, glare mitigation and other county and state permit requirements.
Duchesne County planning staff recommended, and the planning commission approved, a conditional‑use permit for a 10.8‑acre photovoltaic plant proposed by Danny Loveland.
Staff said the project is a ground‑mounted photovoltaic solar facility designed for on‑site/private use, not for exporting power to the grid, and that because of its scale it triggers state and county solar‑specific conditions. The staff report described the site as located on a 10.8‑acre parcel in the A‑5 agricultural zone about six miles northeast of Duchesne and recommended a package of conditions: perimeter fencing (with negotiable fence height), emergency Knox‑box access for first responders, warning signage and contact information, noise limits consistent with county code, landscaping or screening to mitigate visual impacts and glare, undergrounding of in‑project electrical distribution lines unless environmental constraints prevent it, compliance with the county wildland‑urban interface code, and proof of any required state and federal permits (DEQ, EPA, USFWS, and applicable Division of Oil, Gas and Mining requirements). Staff estimated construction costs in the $1 million to $3 million range and anticipated a 25–30 year useful life for the installation with opportunities for renewal.
Applicant Greg Taylor answered questions about power offtake and said the project would be “behind the meter” for on‑site use and that discussions with potential local buyers are preliminary. Neighbors raised questions about hydrogen offtake mentioned during the hearing; Lance Anderson asked about hydrogen storage and safety. Taylor and the applicant team said no definitive hydrogen agreements exist and that any hydrogen storage or transfer would require separate approvals and additional permitting. Commissioners asked for a decommissioning/reclamation plan and a mechanism (bond or similar) to ensure removal if the facility is abandoned; staff noted a decommissioning plan is required under state statute and is a standard condition for solar permits.
After public testimony and clarification, a motion to approve the Loveland solar conditional‑use permit with staff‑recommended conditions passed by voice vote. The approval requires the applicant to obtain all required state, federal and county permits and to comply with the conditions recorded in the planning division file.
