Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Zoning Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Planning commission tables zoning revisions covering data centers, solar farms and beehives
Summary
The commission reviewed a 19‑page draft of Ordinance 11‑11‑26 to add rules for data centers, solar energy facilities, forestry and apiaries. Commissioners and residents discussed setbacks, aesthetics, stormwater and potential water use for data centers and agreed to table the draft for staff edits and county review.
At the May 12 meeting the Planning Commission considered a draft revision to Ordinance 11‑11‑26 (Chapter 220) that would add definitions and standards for data centers, solar energy facilities, forestry operations and apiaries. Staff said the draft is 19 pages and remains at the discussion stage.
Staff noted a state determination requires forestry to be a permitted use in all districts; commissioners adjusted setback language (a previously proposed 400‑foot setback was lowered to 200 feet for discussion) and discussed whether the B district should remain the primary location for data centers. Commissioners also reviewed screening, landscaping and aesthetic standards intended to reduce visual impacts for large solar installations in rural and residential districts.
Members of the public raised concerns about data‑center water use and cooling systems. Resident Ellen Katter asked where water would come from and suggested a large center could use "1,000,000 to 3,000,000 gallons a day;" staff said the draft ordinance requires detailed water and sewer information for any future data‑center proposal and that many modern designs use air cooling or closed systems. Commissioners asked staff to add clearer stormwater language for solar arrays (panels often are counted as impervious surface in calculations) and to define small vs. large solar facilities and whether large facilities will be limited to off‑site power export.
Given outstanding technical questions (stormwater, buffer yards and county review), the commission voted to continue and table the ordinance draft so staff can refine language and allow the county 30 days for review before a public hearing at council.
