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Commission clarifies language: 'utility-scale' limited to 5,000 acres; 'commercial' replaced
Summary
Commissioners voted to replace 'commercial' with 'utility-scale' in the draft code and to apply the 5,000-acre maximum specifically to utility-scale projects, while keeping community-scale treated separately.
The Planning Commission moved to replace the phrase "commercial solar energy" with "utility-scale solar energy" in the draft code and to define the existing 5,000-acre countywide cap as applying to utility-scale projects. Weston Kane made the motions and Chris Melhus seconded; the changes were adopted by voice vote.
Commissioners said they preferred a stricter cap and clearer terminology for large utility-scale projects while leaving community-scale systems (under 20 acres) more flexible. "To me, I think the 5,000-acre cap should apply strictly to utility-scale projects," Commissioner Chris Melhus said. Staff said they would need to add or clarify definitions for 'community-scale' and 'utility-scale' and clean up remaining references to 'commercial' in the draft language.
