Pottawatomie County commissioners Greg Riat (left) and Dee McKee (right) discuss proposed zoning regulations for solar energy farms Monday in Westmoreland. (Brandon Peoples/KMAN)
Uncertainty remains over how Pottawatomie County will go about finalizing its draft regulations governing solar energy farms.
County Planner Stephan Metzger sought guidance from county commissioners Monday, over how to best proceed. Commissioner Pat Weixelman says he believes the draft as written currently takes away local control.
Metzger says some of Weixelman’s concerns were actually addressed by planning and zoning. He spoke to a concern in the regulation regarding ground cover where the panels would be placed.
Metzger mentioned a sticking point in his draft regulations that has planning commissioners split over the required foot length for setbacks for some of the infrastructure. He says the idea is finding a balance between what property owners are comfortable with and making sure it’s financially viable for solar companies.
Commissioners for the most part felt the current draft regulations were too loosely defined and needed to be tightened up. Commission Chair Greg Riat says local control is key.
Commissioner Dee McKee says she understands concerns regarding property values and aesthetics, but says residents should be more focused on the future.
Metzger says his department has worked the draft plan as far as they can without further guidance.
The two governing boards will meet for a joint meeting to discuss the regulations further on July 8. The draft plan is available at the bottom of this article.
Commissioners on Monday also approved a motion for Public Works to purchase a new motor grader, under the contingency that it replaces two outgoing graders instead of one. That will bring the department’s fleet down from 16 to 15.
A $1.5 million bid was also awarded to Larson Construction for construction at Irvine Acres Unit 2.
Commissioners met for a budget work session Monday where departments including the County Clerk, Sheriff, Parks and Noxious Weed reviewed their proposed increases. The Sheriff’s Office discussed potentially taking over dispatch from the Wamego Police Department. Commissioners Monday were on board with such a request if it can be done under a cost share plan over a two year period, during fiscal 2022 and 2023.
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