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Washington County commissioners send draft ADU, data center and solar ordinances to Planning & Zoning
Summary
The Washington County Board of Commissioners reviewed draft ordinances on accessory dwelling units (ADUs), data centers and commercial solar on June 15 and directed Planning & Zoning to begin review and public hearings; commissioners debated size limits, groundwater language and power and setback limits for data centers.
The Washington County Board of Commissioners on June 15 directed county planning staff to release draft ordinances on accessory dwelling units, data centers and commercial solar to the Planning & Zoning Commission for review and public hearing.
County planning administrator Bridget Felmley presented the drafts and answered commissioners’ questions about specifics. The ADU draft sets a minimum ADU size of 600 square feet and bars an ADU from exceeding the primary residence’s floor area; Commissioner Nate Marvin urged adding an absolute cap, saying he was “thinking that it should be, we should cap it at 1,500 or 1600,” while Commissioner Gordon Wilkerson noted some counties allow the accessory structure to become the primary residence in certain circumstances.
The data center draft generated the most discussion. The ordinance’s Section 6 ties approval to several requirements, including a minimum parcel size provision the draft lists at 100 acres and a prohibition on groundwater withdrawals that would cause measurable adverse impacts. Commissioner Wilkerson warned of rapid national growth in data centers and urged caution, saying counties need “something on the books now.” He also raised potential noise and water-temperature issues tied to cooling systems. Prosecuting Attorney True Pearce explained some provisions intended to make the ordinance defensible, including limits on new transmission infrastructure above 115 kilovolts in A-1 agricultural zones and a draft cap that would prevent a new data center from exceeding an average electrical demand of 25 megawatts without Board approval.
Commissioners pressed staff on wording strength: Harberd asked whether the draft’s phrasing that a facility “may” not result in groundwater impacts should be changed to a stronger obligation. Pearce advised the Board on defensible language and said staff and county counsel could refine the exact phrasing before a public hearing.
On solar, the draft exempts small residential systems (examples in discussion cited about five acres) and includes a provision prohibiting commercial solar installations on A‑1 irrigated agricultural land. Commissioners debated protecting prime farmland while not unduly restricting a farmer’s ability to place panels to run irrigation pumps.
After discussion the Board directed Felmley to release the drafts to the Planning & Zoning Commission (which had the drafts on its agenda the next day) and to make them public records for review. Felmley said the P&Z review will be followed by public hearings; Pearce and commissioners noted the drafts are not final and can be revised following public comment.
The Planning & Zoning Commission review and any subsequent public hearings will determine the next steps and possible amendments to the draft ordinances.
