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Cherokee County extends one-year moratorium on commercial solar projects amid zoning debate
Summary
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 9, 2024, to extend a moratorium on commercial solar energy projects through Sept. 9, 2025, after debating whether to pursue costly countywide zoning to regulate future solar farms; the resolution passed with one commissioner opposed.
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted Sept. 9 to extend a moratorium on commercial solar energy projects for one year while the county considers how to regulate proposed solar farms.
County Counselor Jake Conard recommended the county “consider zoning the entire county” to provide a clear regulatory framework for future solar projects, saying zoning would make regulation “smoother” though it would be a substantial undertaking. Commissioners discussed the time and cost of creating a countywide zoning program; Commissioner Lorie Johnson estimated zoning could cost “in the area of $250,000” and noted the county would need a planning company, a zoning board and a comprehensive plan. Conard said Labette County required about 16 months when it began zoning, a timeline commissioners cited as context for the scale of the task.
Chairman Cory Moates moved for a one‑year moratorium on solar farms; Commissioner Lorie Johnson seconded. The motion passed with Commissioner Frazier opposed. The board later approved Resolution 23‑2024 formalizing the moratorium extension until Sept. 9, 2025; that vote also passed with Commissioner Frazier voting against.
The board opened the matter to public comment. Multiple landowners spoke both in favor of and opposed to development. Clearway Energy representative Jon Hadley provided the board with details about the size, design and expected output of the proposed solar developments and answered questions from commissioners.
The moratorium pauses permitting and approvals for commercial-scale solar projects for the duration of the ordinance extension while the county assesses whether zoning or other regulatory tools are needed to address siting, setback, or other community concerns. The board did not adopt a zoning plan at the meeting and took no additional action beyond the moratorium resolution.
What happens next: the moratorium will remain in place through Sept. 9, 2025, unless the board acts again. County staff and legal counsel will likely return with options and cost estimates if the board chooses to pursue countywide zoning or narrower regulatory changes.
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