HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Board of County Commissioners on Wednesday voted to send the text of proposed regulations for Limited-Scale Commercial Solar Energy Projects back to the Planning Commission for further work.
They specifically are seeking clarification on exterior sound regulations, specifics on what a building that would hold storage batteries for such a project would be, the possibility for pollution and how it would be dealt with and whether a grandfathered project could have another project nearer to it than would otherwise be allowed in the regulations.
The draft given to the commission included:
Regulations only apply to the zoned area of the County.
Limited scale is defined as a 10-acre or less parcel/lease area and generating two megawatts of AC power or less.
Stormwater management plan is required.
List of all local, state, and Federal agencies required to review or approve the project.
No project can be within two miles of another project.
Solar panels are to be setback 100 feet from the road right of way and all non-participating property lines in effect at the time of the application.
500 feet setback from a non-participating landowner's principal building.
25 feet from a fence associated with providing security.
Maximum height of the panel is 15 feet.
Facility enclosed by a perimeter fence.
No lights unless approved by the conditional use permit.
Any battery storage must be in a building and not located within 500 of a non-participating property owner's principal building.
Noise can't exceed 60 decibels measured at the outer wall of a non-participating property owner's principal building.
No rock, gravel, or other impervious material may be placed under the solar panels.
No developer's agreement required. However, there are decommissioning requirements.
Limited Scale Solar Projects are defined as producing energy used offsite but under 10 acres in size and generating 2 Megawatts or less of electricity.
No word on how long it will take the planning commission to make the edits. The motion to return the text passed unanimously.
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