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Public commenters press Commission to define 'dual-use,' protect productive Palouse farmland and expand setbacks
Summary
Public commenters urged the Commission to clearly define agrivoltaics/dual-use versus replacement of agricultural land, asked that irrigated and high-quality Palouse soils be protected, suggested larger setbacks (one commenter asked for 1,500 feet), and raised firefighter-safety and material-quality concerns for panels and batteries.
During public comment, speakers emphasized protecting Whitman County's agricultural character and photo-tourism resources and asked for clearer definitions and stronger setbacks in the draft ordinance.
Carol Black urged the Commission to define ‘‘dual-use’’ precisely, saying that leasing 1,000 acres and installing panels on 500 acres "is not dual-use. That 500 is replacement of agriculture." Tom Thompson and other speakers warned that federal incentives can change quickly and developers could return in force if funding grows. Julie Clarkson Gulick cited firefighter safety guidance and recommended much larger setbacks in some jurisdictions, expressing personal concern: "I don't want my home to be that close." Staff agreed to collect and circulate the public submissions and supporting documents to commissioners prior to the next meeting.
The Commission said it would incorporate public input into the working ordinance and asked staff to distribute the submitted materials to all members.
