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Committee reviews technology/data‑center regulations, decommissioning and container limits; consultant recommended
Summary
Members continued work on technology and energy infrastructure rules, discussed decommissioning bonds, limits on shipping containers for battery storage, and agreed staff should obtain consultant cost estimates to review the draft before forwarding to commissioners.
Red County planning committee members resumed discussion of the technology and energy/digital infrastructure draft. Topics included decommissioning requirements, bond amounts, pilot program language, and how to treat shipping containers and battery energy storage projects in the zoning code.
Decommissioning and bonds: Committee members asked staff to research appropriate bond levels and decommissioning language; Chair and others said the bond discussion requires further investigation before final wording is adopted.
Shipping containers and battery storage: Members flagged a mismatch between generic container limits (three containers allowed for domestic storage) and utility‑scale battery projects that use multiple containers. One committee member said the county may need a special‑use permit framework similar to what other counties have adopted for data centers or large battery sites.
Pilot provision and consultant review: Committee agreed to remove 'pilot' language where it no longer applies and to move a paragraph from 25‑806 addressing pilot status. Staff proposed hiring an outside consultant experienced with technology and data‑center regulation to review the committee's draft once the group reaches consensus; the committee supported the idea and asked staff to obtain cost estimates.
Next steps: Staff will research bonds and decommissioning, remove obsolete pilot language from 25‑806, draft specific language for battery storage or special permits in Article 16, and return with a redlined draft and consultant cost figures at the next meeting.
