County commissioners to revisit solar zoning regulations

​YORK – When the York County Commissioners convene in regular session on Tuesday, April 14, they will revisit the topic of zoning regulations for solar projects.

​This ongoing conversation has now become more centered on setbacks for large industrial/commercial projects, as the board members seem to have found middle ground on other aspects of zoning for these types of situations.
The commissioners seem to differ on the lengths of setbacks for projects in the proximity of non-participating properties and residences. Different distances have been discussed – 330 feet, 660 feet, a quarter mile, a half mile, etc.
As a point of reference, York County Commissioner Randy Obermier placed different distance markers in two fields in rural York County. The intention is for board members and interested members of the public to have an opportunity to drive to these properties and see the markers physically, to better understand the impact of the distances. Those markers remain in the fields and can be viewed at any time.
At each location, there are signs marking 330 feet, 660 feet, 1,320 feet and 2,640 feet.
The directions, Obermier said, to each field are: “to go to the first, go to the corner of Road 4 and Road K and then go north; to go to the second, go to the corner of Road K and Road 5 and then go west.”
Also on Tuesday’s agenda:

• The board will hear a recommendation from the York County Visitors Bureau regarding an improvement grant application from the Wessels Living History Farm.
• The board will also discuss the internship program with the visitors bureau.
• A public hearing will be held regarding the purchase of a vehicle for the county’s public transportation program.

The public is encouraged to attend the event, which will begin at 8:30 a.m., in the commissioners’ meeting room located on the main floor of the courthouse, next to the clerk’s office.