HANCOCK COUNTY — A solar ordinance that would set rules and regulations for micro-, small- and medium-scale uses of solar received a favorable recommendation from the plan commission at its meeting Tuesday night.
Hollie Kinker, assistant planner, said at the meeting that during the January meeting the board discussed the idea of two different solar ordinances — one addressing micro-, small- and medium-scale use and the other addressing large- and utility-scale use.
“That would allow us to go ahead and start addressing what was more of an immediate need of the planning department,” said Kinker at the meeting. “Which was permitting what we’re already dealing with but we have no regulations or guidance for taxpayers on how to direct setbacks and landscaping and decommissioning while we work on the large- and utility-scale ordinance based on the feedback from the November public hearing.”
From discussion at the January meeting, Kinker said that the board provided recommended changes to the micro-, small- and medium-scale ordinance, and asked the draft ordinance be sent to the county commissioners. Kinker said that she did send the draft but did not hear back any comments from the commissioners.
Adjustments to the ordinances included changing the wording from “required” to “encouraged” in regards to building integrated solar, which deals with development moving forward such as warehouses and how can those buildings be built to where if a tenant wants to add solar to their roofing. They also did some language cleanup with wind energy and making sure that the county surveyor had an opportunity to look at projects to address any drainage.
For abandonment and decommission regulations of the solar use, there are additional requirements listed for medium-scale use due to the size. Kinker said that these projects could possibly be seen with schools, libraries, small hobby farms, etc.
It also included an updated Land Use Matrix that shows medium-scale projects will go to the Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) for special exception use, which will allow the board to make sure that someone doesn’t repeatedly ask for permit after permit, vetting each of those projects.
An updated fee structure that was mentioned at the January meeting was included in the board’s packets to look over and to be able to provide feedback at the next meeting.
For the micro-, small- and medium-scale use ordinance, Kinker said she did not receive any remonstrance since their January meeting, but has received comments for the large and utility scale.
“I am still collecting information, I am still working on a draft ordinance for the large- and utility-scale solar and working on the list that this board tasked us with after November’s public hearing,” Kinker said.
With no additional comments from the public or staff, the board unanimously passed a favorable recommendation to the board of commissioners.
For the large- and utility-scale use ordinance, the board decided on seeing another draft for review and discussion at the June plan commission meeting and hold a public hearing in July. The board decided on these months, taking into consideration the agricultural community to ensure that they would be able to have the opportunity to attend those future meetings.
With the large- and utility-scale use ordinance continuing to be worked on, the micro-, small- and medium-scale use ordinance will make its way to the board of commissioners to review and possibly vote on.
