Planning commission pulls solar ordinance, seeks joint workshop with Board before Feb. 11

The Washington County Planning Commission voted to remove a proposed solar ordinance from its agenda and requested a joint workshop with the Board of Supervisors before the Board's Feb. 11 meeting.

A commissioner argued the draft ordinance was "much more in-depth" than members had anticipated and asked the commission to pull the item so staff and elected leaders could work together on a compromise. The commissioner said they had spoken with the county attorney and the county administrator, who "both said if we handle it this way that that would be acceptable for advertising." The commission made the motion, seconded it, and voted unanimously to pull the ordinance and seek a joint meeting; the chair said members of the public who wished to speak on the solar ordinance should do so under the public comment period.

The decision halts further action on the ordinance for now and schedules follow-up deliberations with the Board of Supervisors. Commissioners said they would circulate a marked-up copy of the existing ordinance to colleagues for review in advance of the joint session so stakeholders can "mull it over." The commission directed staff to allow public input at the next meeting so residents and applicants can raise concerns or support.

The move reflects commissioners' desire for collaborative review after several members said the changes in the proposed draft were substantial and warranted broader discussion with the Board.