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Washington County commissioners send near-final solar, data‑center and ADU drafts to Planning & Zoning after energy, battery concerns
Summary
Commissioners reviewed draft ordinances for accessory dwelling units, solar farms (including battery-storage rules) and data centers and agreed to forward near-final language to the Planning & Zoning Commission for public hearings, while flagging water, power and on‑site energy (including small reactors) as issues to monitor.
Washington County commissioners on June 8 reviewed near-final draft ordinances covering accessory dwelling units (ADUs), solar farms and data centers and agreed to forward the drafts to the county Planning & Zoning Commission for public hearings and further review.
The action came after Planning and Zoning Administrator Bridget Felmley and Prosecuting Attorney True Pearce reviewed the draft language and commissioners raised questions about energy and safety. Felmley said the county expects hearings in July or August on ADU, solar farm and dry RV‑park applications and that she had "seen some feedback come through." Pearce urged the board to move the draft forward to P&Z rather than delay: "If you're 98% of the way there happy, let's get it done. … This could still take a while if you were done today, but if you want something put in about other sources of power, I certainly am happy to do that for you." Commissioner Jim Harberd told Pearce, "I think we should go with what you've prepared."
Why it matters: commissioners said the county needs enforceable standards to protect agricultural land and water resources as renewable‑energy projects and data centers seek sites. Commissioner Gordon Wilkerson cited conference material he described as offering "defensible" ordinance language and raised the potential for private on‑site power generation to accompany data centers, including air‑cooled systems, gas turbines and, he said, proposals discussed at conferences for small nuclear reactors. The board asked staff to consider federal and state guidance (Wilkerson referenced an Office of Species, Minerals and Energy Coordination resource) and asked Pearce to clarify how the code should treat private energy sources.
Key details: Felmley and commissioners specifically discussed battery storage safety and plan‑review fees; Felmley said the draft already includes provisions for cleanup and a large bond to cover accidents and remediation. Pearce noted that state and federal fire and environmental codes would apply to battery storage and that the county can amend its code later if gaps are identified. Commissioners emphasized getting a working ordinance in place now with the expectation of future amendments as technology and case law evolve.
What happens next: The board signaled support for sending the near‑final draft to Planning & Zoning for public hearings and feedback; Pearce and Felmley will provide final edits and P&Z will schedule hearings, after which the board may adopt or amend the ordinance language. No final adoption of county code occurred on June 8.
