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Commission advances stronger fencing, screening and maintenance rules for solar and BESS
Summary
After reviewing staff‑draft visual‑impact language, commissioners voted to advance strengthened fencing types, vegetative screening, landscape plans and maintenance standards for solar and BESS projects; BESS screening requirements were set higher to achieve year‑round opacity targets.
The Planning Commission voted to advance reorganized code language that tightens fencing, screening and maintenance expectations for both commercial solar arrays and battery energy storage systems (BESS).
Consultant Rachel Granrath told commissioners the draft reorganizes and 'beefs up' the code to require specific fencing designs, an approved landscape plan and maintenance obligations for screening and site appearance. She said for BESS facilities the draft requires higher vegetative screening performance — 75% year‑round opacity within five years — compared with lower percent‑grown targets for solar. Commissioner Brian Davies said the strengthened language addresses his concerns about site‑obscuring screening along public rights‑of‑way.
Commissioners also clarified wording (changing 'residential zones' to 'adjacent residential uses or occupied buildings') and affirmed that vegetation in the setback should not conflict with road‑safety sight‑distance rules. After discussion, the Commission voted to accept the purple‑lined draft language and send it forward as part of the ordinance package to be refined for the public hearing.
