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Plan commission member objects after draft ‘Washington County’ solar ordinance appears on desks
Summary
At a Washington County Plan Commission meeting, member Lucy Brenton said she was blindsided by a draft solar ordinance labeled for Washington County, moved to table the matter and questioned who prepared it; staff said the document was a working draft and not ready for a vote.
Lucy Brenton, a planning commission member, objected to a draft ordinance labeled "Washington County" that she said was placed on commissioners’ desks without notice and moved to table any solar discussion until members had time to review it. "Who put this into a computer, changed it to Washington County, collated it, and put it on my desk?" Brenton asked, describing the item as a "bait and switch."
Brenton told colleagues that the commission had previously agreed to a moratorium on adopting solar rules until June 2027 and said she was concerned the draft was being rushed before a change in county commissioners. Other members pressed staff for the document’s origin.
A staff member acknowledged preparing a collated copy for the meeting; staff described the draft as a working document and emphasized it was not a finalized ordinance to be voted on that night. Commissioners debated whether to proceed; Brenton moved to table the discussion, and a member seconded the motion. The commission did not adopt any solar ordinance or take a final vote on the draft during the meeting.
The meeting later devolved into a heated exchange and a separate motion to adjourn passed by voice and roll call. No formal action was taken on the draft ordinance; commissioners directed that materials be reviewed and that the item return for consideration later.
