HomeMy WebLinkAboutPublic Hearing - BOCC (002)Open Record Public Hearing
Unified Development Code (UDC) amendment re: Solar Regulations (continued from April 26, 2022)
May 24, 2022
3:30 p.m.
In Attendance:
Danny E. Stone, Chair
Rob Jones, Vice -Chair
Cindy Carter, Member
Barbara J. Vasquez, Clerk of the Board
Tyler Lawrence, Interim Development Services Director
Public: See sign in sheet
3:30 p.m. The Commissioners held an Open Record Public Hearing to consider an amendment made by
the Grant County Commissioners to Unified Development Code to Chapters 23.04, 23.08, 25.02 (File# P
22-0055) relating to solar energy project development regulations at their previous public hearing that
was held April 26, 2022. The proposed amendment would add language to the Development Agreement
for a disposal plan of any damaged or decommissioned components. Any interested persons may
appear regarding these matters.
Tyler Lawrence, Interim Development Services Director didn't have any new information to add, he just
reiterated what transpired at the last hearing. It was decided at the last hearing to readvertise to allow
public comment on the proposed amendment as submitted.
Commissioner Jones asked the difference between "disposal" vs "recycling". Commissioner Stone
stated that he crossed out "recycling", so it just refers to the disposal of any non -working parts. Tyler
Lawrence believes the verbiage is sufficient.
Sam Dart, Assistant Public Works Director, reiterated that Public Works wants language to state that the
parts will NOT be disposed of in the County Landfill.
Commissioner Stone discussed the 4 amendments that he previously made at the 4/26 hearing. He
relayed that #1, #3 and #4 of his amendments were not passed. Only #2. He gave his statement that he
is not in support of industrial solar. He also has an ethical struggle with where the parts are received
from and their ties with slave labor. The financial gain is only to the property owner, parts people, and
politicians. There is no sales tax benefit in the long run.
Blair Fuglie, Planning Commission member, stated did recuse himself from this topic at the Planning
Commission hearing.
Caller 310-463- Sofie Keefer of JUWI Solar thanked the board.
Caller 503-880- No comment
Caller 281-728- Ally Weever, no comment
Caller 509-990- asked who gave the rebuttal, Commissioner Stone stated it was him.
Eric Hawkinson — no comment
Tara Renick- no comment
A motion was made by Commissioner Jones, seconded by Commissioner Carter, to close the public
comment portion of the hearing. The motion passed unanimously. A motion was made by
Commissioner Carter, seconded by Commissioner Jones to approve the UDC Amendment with the
amendment verbiage relating to disposal of damaged or decommissioned components as presented.
Commissioner Stone voted nay. The motion passed with a vote of 2-1. The moratorium is still in effect
so this UDC amendment will go into effect August 1, 2022 end of business.