Commissioners have thoughtful conversation as debate quiets and vote is taken for solar zoning regulations

Editor's note: This is the final installment in a series regarding this week's public hearing and final vote regarding solar zoning regulations in York County.
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​YORK – After four years of debate (which culminated in hours of testimony Monday night and Tuesday morning), the matter of solar project zoning regulations was sitting before the York County Commissioners, waiting for them to take a vote.
“Before us is the document we worked on during our last meeting, it’s been on the county’s website for public review, we have heard public comment and we now will want to pass a resolution,” said Commissioner Chairman Daniel Grotz.
While Commissioner Joe Burgess continued to ask for the 25-page zoning document to be streamlined, Commissioner Randy Obermier stressed he felt they needed to take a vote on the language as it stood, first, as the document itself could be “cleaned up” later through the process of updating the language of all the zoning regulations and the comprehensive plan.
“The main thing, obviously, is we need to take care of the setbacks, as this is the hot issue, as we agree on everything else,” Obermier said. “I agree with what Chuck Byers said earlier, you all kind of know where each of us are at. And we appreciate all the testimony we’ve heard.”
Obermier also addressed Jim Jackson, a landowner and farmer from the Hays Township, who has attended nearly every county board meeting since the solar controversy started – typically addressing the board nearly every single time. Obermier noted how he’s come to know Jackson over this time. “Jim Jackson is what makes York County great. Sure, he and I don’t always agree, but I appreciate him. And yes, raw, emotional testimony is a great thing as people deeply about this.”
Obermier also acknowledged this has been a difficult journey. “Last night, I got a text, from a friend, who said I should ‘watch my back.’ And I thought, ‘really? In York County?’ Sleep was little last night and there was a lot of thought last night. As I wasn’t sleeping and I was deep in thought, I started watching the Ben Sasse interview. He’s dying and he’s only 54 but he is very wise about the things he said about what’s important and what it means to lead in our country and locally. I know we will make a decision on this issue today and we will move forward, York County will be fine.”
“Yes, sleep was little at best last night,” said Commissioner Andy Bowman. “One setback I think we need to discuss more is for schools and churches. I like the document as it is now, but I’d like to see longer setbacks, like the planning and zoning board members said last night, for churches and schools. I make a motion to approve this resolution (with the half-mile setbacks for non-participating dwellings) and for half-mile setbacks for churches and schools, when it comes to Class 4 solar projects.”
Commissioner Grotz said he would second the motion for the sake of conversation.
“The half-mile setback is unnecessary,” Commissioner Burgess said. “Safety is not a case to argue if solar panels are safe on a roof, as you have said. I fail to see how that’s OK but it’s unsafe when its installed on the ground.”
“The difference is because of the size and scope of industrial facilities,” Bowman responded.
Obermier said he didn’t foresee any new schools or churches being constructed in the rural areas of the county and there are a few in existence now, “but in trying to find a way to the end . . .”
When taking a vote on the resolution, to include the half-mile setbacks for non-participating dwellings, schools and churches, Bowman, Grotz and Commissioner Deb Robertson voted yes. Obermier and Burgess voted no.