Commission sends Wind and Solar Ordinance back to Planning and Zoning after divided vote

The Traverse County Commission voted April 21 to send the county's Wind and Solar Ordinance back to the Planning and Zoning Committee for further review. Mark Gail moved for the referral and Chad Metz seconded; the motion passed 3–2 with Dwight Nelson and Kayla Schmidt opposed.

Commissioners discussed an email from Sean Lawler of Geronimo Power that highlighted ordinance sections likely to prompt developer concern, provisions that could be refined to allow development, and parts considered high risk for preventing development. The public spoke during the item; commenters raised points tied to the ordinance discussion. The referral instructs Planning and Zoning to review the highlighted areas and return recommendations to the Board for further action.

The outcome was a procedural referral rather than adoption or amendment; no ordinance text was changed at the meeting. The commission's vote splits indicate there remains disagreement among commissioners about the appropriate balance between development facilitation and regulatory limits. Planning and Zoning will be expected to analyze the flagged provisions and propose revisions or clarifying language before the Board considers substantive changes.