Franklin County extends moratorium on commercial wind projects and adds solar through 2028

The Franklin County Board of Commissioners on Jan. 28 approved Resolution 26-05 to extend a temporary moratorium on commercial wind energy projects and to add a temporary moratorium on planning, permitting or constructing commercial solar projects in rural areas through Dec. 31, 2028. The board recorded the motion as passing with "all voted 'yes.'"

Chair Sabrina Meador opened the agenda item after County Administrator Derek Brown introduced a request from Commissioner Colton Waymire to revisit Franklin County Resolution 23-21, which places a temporary moratorium on commercial wind energy conversion systems. Commissioners said they want the county's comprehensive plan updated before permitting large-scale energy projects and noted that solar project provisions also need review.

Commissioner Ianne Dickinson moved to adopt a new resolution and later, after hearing draft language from Brown, the board approved the proposed text. Commissioner Waymire moved the final resolution and Dickinson seconded. The adopted Resolution 26-05 extends the county's existing moratorium on commercial wind projects and adds a moratorium on commercial solar special-use permits (SUPs) in rural areas through Dec. 31, 2028.

The action is described in the meeting record as a unanimous vote among commissioners present; the minutes state "all voted 'yes.'" The county did not specify in the record a numerical roll-call tally tied to each motion on the record. The resolution is intended to give county planners time to update the comprehensive plan and review rules that would govern siting of large wind and solar projects.

The board did not adopt substantive permitting standards during the meeting. Next steps noted in the discussion include completing the comprehensive-plan review and returning with proposed code or zoning amendments before the moratorium expires.