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Commission agrees to allow community-scale solar in Pullman–Moscow corridor and industrial zones
Summary
The Planning Commission voted to permit community-scale solar in the North and South Pullman–Moscow Corridor Districts and in light/heavy industrial zones, with staff to refine setback numbers for those areas.
The commission voted to add the North and South Pullman–Moscow Corridor District zones and both Light and Heavy Industrial District zones to the list of areas where community-scale solar energy systems may be allowed. The motion was made by Commissioner Weston Kane, seconded by Chris Melhus, and approved by voice vote.
Commissioners and staff noted that current setback language as written would effectively exclude those zones from siting unless the mapping or setbacks were adjusted. "If you want to site solar facilities in those zones, you would need to modify what we have on our mapping exercise," Assistant Planner Grace Di Biase said. The commission asked staff to evaluate parcel sizes in corridor and industrial zones and to propose refined setback ranges that would allow community-scale projects without enabling large utility-scale developments in the corridor.
The vote applies only to community-scale systems (defined in the draft code as occupying less than 20 acres) and commissioners separately discussed preserving an acreage cap and stricter standards for utility-scale projects.
