NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
RENO COUNTY — The Board of Reno County Commissioners approved an extension to the solar moratorium for up to another six months in the county on Wednesday.
County Counselor Patrick Hoffman wanted to make sure that the commission keeps proper procedure in mind as they provide direction on solar regulations to the Planning Commission.
"It's not just about whether we do it or not," Hoffman said. "It's to make sure we follow a process that allows public input and procedure. The moratorium came about at the beginning of the year, because we needed time to make a process. We needed to do this process. We put a moratorium in place so that we could have time to do it without getting a permit. When I was at the Kansas Association of Counties, one of the things they stressed was it's important to not use a moratorium to just indefinitely end the conversation on something, but it's to use the moratorium to do our due diligence. That is exactly why we're asking, Planning and Zoning and myself are asking to extend it. We're not finished yet."
If the regulations are finished before July 1, the commission can remove the moratorium early.
"There are many things people can say about solar issues in Reno County," Hoffman said. "They cannot say there have not been a lot of opportunities for the public to be heard on it."
The County Commission was clear verbally with Public Works Director Don Brittain that they would like the Planning Commission to focus on small commercial projects and setbacks, if necessary, for private solar that is not attached to a building.
"The majority of the commission is not going to support or effort a regulation that permits things over two megawatts," said commission chair Daniel Friesen. "I think you're right on that. It doesn't say it in here specifically, but I think, that's a good balance of us not interfering with your work, but telling you, don't waste your time."
The Reno County Planning Commission traditionally meets on the third Thursday of every month at the Public Works building in South Hutchinson. Further discussion of the regulations is not on their Dec. 21 agenda.
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