Council adopts changes to Chapter 16 after debate over solar setbacks; staff to finalize ordinance language

The Presque Isle City Council considered revisions to Chapter 16 of the land-use and development code at its Nov. 5 meeting and approved updates to solar-generation setbacks following staff and planning-board review and public testimony.

Tim explained that an earlier city-manager memo proposed a 0–150-foot approach, which the planning board changed to a 250-foot setback from residences; Tim recommended the 250-foot compromise arguing it preserved room for a house lot plus buffering. The planning board also added an exception that the setback would not apply to a home placed after a solar generation facility was already established.

Public speakers and councilors debated alternatives: advocates for tighter protection of housing favored setbacks from residences, while some residents and councilors proposed measuring from paved roads (for example, 100 feet from a paved road coupled with a larger distance from homes) to encourage housing in central areas and direct solar to agricultural parcels. Staff clarified related rules already in the code prohibiting construction on prime farmland and requiring soil and habitat surveys; they also noted buffering requirements such as four rows of trees and considerations for utility pole placement.

Council motioned and adopted a revised change to Chapter 16 (specific provisions to be finalized in ordinance language returned by staff) reflecting the council’s direction on setbacks, buffering and the planning-board recommendations. The approved direction will be formalized in code language and brought back for the required public hearing and final vote as part of the code amendment process.