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Commission adopts 7‑mile viewshed buffer for Palouse Falls and the buttes, exempts community solar
Summary
To protect scenic resources, the commission extended the 7‑mile setback used for wind to BESS and solar projects around Kamiak Butte, Steptoe Butte and Palouse Falls, while unanimously exempting community‑scale solar.
The Planning Commission voted May 20 to apply a seven‑mile viewshed buffer — previously used in the county's wind code — to proposed large solar and battery storage projects around three identified scenic resources: Kamiak Butte, Steptoe Butte and Palouse Falls.
Consultant Rachel Granrath said a written purpose statement linking the buffer to Comprehensive Plan values and visual-resource protection would strengthen the county’s legal position if the rule were appealed. Commissioner Dave Gibney argued the visual profile of BESS and solar differs from wind and urged a shorter buffer, but a majority favored uniform setbacks for consistency. The vote to adopt the 7‑mile buffer carried 6–1.
Commissioners then unanimously amended that decision to exempt community‑scale solar (systems designed to serve a local utility or community subscribers) from the 7‑mile restriction. "We will include that in a red‑lined draft for you," the consultant said; staff said the county attorney will also review the purpose language before BOCC consideration.
