Solar zoning conversations resume as commissioners work toward regulations

YORK – The York County Commissioners continued their conversation regarding solar zoning regulations during their last meeting.

​“We need to continue to discuss zoning,” said Commissioner Chairman Randy Obermier. “Personally, I feel there are places where we agree and I think we should tackle those first to get them out of the way.”
There was some discussion as to whether they should table the matter until the current recall process regarding Commissioner LeRoy Ott is completed.
“The recall matter at this point is unknown,” Obermier said. “You could make a motion to table the matter until after it is completed, if you want, and we could vote on that, if that’s what you want.”
“Between working on the budget and all the valuation protests, for me, the zoning has been on the back burner,” said Commissioner Daniel Grotz. “I haven’t settled on a lot of things with the regulations. We have heard comments from everyone on this board. We are talking about the right of property owners to do what they want with their land and on the other hand my opinion is that York County farmland is not the place for solar projects. Finding that common ground is a challenge which is why we are where we are at.”
“I think we could nail down the categories (of different sizes of solar projects), as a start,” Obermier said. “There have been questions about whether or not this should go back to the planning commission but they have already made their recommendations. So now it is up to us to vote on different changes and this topic today is just for discussion, no action. I agree with Daniel in that this will probably be one of the hardest decisions we have ever had to make but we have to make those decisions.”
There was discussion about including kilowatt references when defining solar farm categories/classifications.
“I don’t think I know if I necessary care about how much is being generated compared to how much area is being used,” Grotz said.
Commissioner Andy Bowman said he was surprised to see this topic on the agenda the Monday before the meeting when it wasn’t there the prior Friday. Obermier said it was due to miscommunication between him and the clerk, and that the discussion topic was added 24 hours before the meeting.
“We have a long way to go and I think before we even get to talking about setbacks we need to get the issue of batteries figured out,” Bowman said. “I am good with working forward.”
Commissioner Joe Burgess has offered a long list of proposed changes, including ideas about classifications and wording being used throughout the long, proposed document.
“I think this is something so new, we have seen mistakes made by other counties,” said Commissioner Ott. “We need to be very careful and we need to make setbacks enough so people’s properties aren’t surrounded by solar fields. We heard at all six townhall meetings to not allow solar farms on prime ground so then do we have to look at soil classifications? There are so many things to consider. I think we could consider limiting the number of acres in the county which can be used for this type of project. And when it comes to batteries and inverters, those are things we know nothing about and we should.”
Grotz added, “We have a lot to come together before we even talk setbacks. And we need to talk about if someone wants to waive a setback so they can pursue an agreement with the company.”
“A couple of things I’m hearing is regarding batteries and inverters, is there a volunteer from the board to go out and find an expert on the topic?” Obermier asked.
Two commissioners said they would take on that task.
“And the second thing, we kind of walked around it but with the recall situation, the timeline is that the petitioner has until the end of August and if they get enough signatures, then there are timelines for the clerk’s office and so on so we would be talking that this wouldn’t be resolved until October if it moves forward. LeRoy, are you good with moving forward?”
Ott said he had no problem with the board continuing to work on the solar project regulations throughout the recall process.
It was also noted the commissioners would like more information on any impact to groundwater solar fields might have.
The matter will be included on the commissioners’ meeting agenda at their next meeting next week.