Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Energy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves interim use permits for two adjacent solar arrays; two council members dissent
Summary
The council approved interim use permits for two adjacent community-scale solar arrays on a ~45-acre parcel south of Highway 433, with conditions and decommissioning requirements; the motion carried with Garret Pearson and Chell Borash voting nay.
The Harris City Council on March 9 approved interim use permits for two adjacent community-scale solar arrays proposed on a roughly 45-acre parcel south of Highway 433 near Graffco, but the vote was not unanimous.
Planner Nathan Feist described the project as two adjacent arrays operated by separate owners for financing and long-term ownership reasons. Council discussion focused on the amount of land that would be occupied by the arrays, coordination with East Central Energy and the limited capacity at the Harris substation, permit conditions recommended by staff, and decommissioning requirements to ensure removal if the project is no longer in service. The Planning Commission had held the required public hearing and recommended approval of the permits with conditions.
On a motion by Council Member Al Siedow, seconded by Council Member Craig Moline, the council voted to approve both interim use permits. The motion carried; Council Members Garret Pearson and Chell Borash recorded nay votes.
The permits include explicit decommissioning requirements and coordination conditions with East Central Energy. The council’s action authorizes the interim use permits with the conditions as outlined by staff; additional permits or infrastructure coordination (for example, addressing substation capacity limitations) may be required before full project operation.
