Public raises questions on Planning and Zoning draft; countywide zoning vote set for July 10

Joshua Albin, participating via Zoom, told the board he had provided the approved Planning and Zoning recommendations and that Commissioners would have the option at the July 10 meeting to approve, deny, or return the recommendations to the Planning and Zoning board. "The Commissioners will have the option to approve, deny, or send back these recommendations to the Planning and Zoning board," he said.

Commissioner Carl Wood said he wanted countywide zoning treated as a separate vote and questioned why Commissioners had not been presented earlier with an opportunity to vote on countywide zoning. Albin said countywide zoning is a separate motion and that the regulations have been provided as draft number eight.

Questions from Commissioners and the public focused on practical effects and grandfathering under an existing moratorium. Commissioner Bruce Blair asked why a zoning map was not included; Albin and County Counselor Jim Emerson said the map is provided when and if countywide zoning is adopted. Public commenter Randy Winterbower sought clarification on whether unzoned areas would be open to solar and wind projects and whether projects already under contract would be grandfathered; Albin said existing, physically built projects would be grandfathered but contracts alone would not suffice. Emerson noted the moratorium’s conditions for grandfathering must have been satisfied prior to the moratorium taking effect.

The board set a July 10 meeting for the presentation and recommended Commissioners review the draft and consult Zoning Administrator May Smith in advance.