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Zoning official says Rock Creek solar farm tour informed county's utility-scale solar rulemaking
Summary
The county zoning administrator told supervisors a June tour of the Rock Creek Solar Farm provided practical context for upcoming utility-scale solar regulations and said battery storage will be addressed in subsequent ordinance work.
The zoning administrator told the Board that a June 16 tour at the Rock Creek Solar Farm (Clinton County) — organized with Iowa State University and the Center for Rural Affairs and led by NextEra representatives — provided practical examples staff are using to shape potential utility-scale solar regulations.
"The tour gave me a much better real world reference point as we continue evaluating utilities utility scale solar regulations and potential projects in Jackson County," the zoning administrator said.
He described those who led and attended the tour as attentive to resident concerns and said the county will use lessons learned to inform rulemaking on siting, mitigation and community impacts. The administrator said staff expects to begin ordinance work on utility-scale solar and that battery storage considerations will follow as part of the same regulatory review.
No ordinance was presented for adoption at the July 28 meeting; the administrator said he plans to start work on the ordinance in August or September and will return with drafts for the board's review.
