Solar Regs not about single project

Mar. 4—Thursday evening, Feb. 29, the Barton County Planning Commission held a public discussion meeting at Barton Community College campus. The Barton County Planning Commission will hold another meeting Monday, March 4, to begin working through the feedback that has been received on the DRAFT changes to the "Current" Barton County Zoning Regulations — Version II as they pertain to Solar Energy Conversion Systems (SECS) and the future development of Large Scale Non-Commercial SECS or Commercial Scale SECS in Barton County.

This meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Upstairs Meeting Room at the Hoisington Activity Center at 1200 Susank Road, Hoisington. The public is invited to attend. Copies of the DRAFT Zoning Articles and the DRAFT Zoning Map are available for review on the county website www.bartoncounty. org/vnews/display.v/ART/65aeb550022f2

Public Discussion

At Thursday's public discussion meeting, members of the planning commission and members of the community spoke about the proposed draft regulations. Environmental Manager/Zoning Administrator Judy Goreham led the discussion and reminded those in attendance that comments should remain on topic with regard to changes to county zoning regulations and that these draft changes do not take into consideration any one specific project or company, or economic impacts solar farms would have on the county. The purpose of these meetings is to draft regulation changes for unincorporated areas of Barton County.

Current draft changes being considered by the planning commission board include a 1-mile no-build zone around Cheyenne Bottoms and the remaining unincorporated areas requiring a Conditional Land Use Permit application before building large scale and commercial scale solar projects.

"When you look at our zoning regulations, which is Article Three, there are seven different districts, every piece of property that the counties zones, which is not every square inch of the unincorporated area is designated as one of those seven districts," Goreham explained.

The unincorporated areas of Barton County exclude incorporated towns and extra territorial zoning boundaries, such as the 3-mile zone surrounding Great Bend and 1-mile areas surrounding Claflin, Ellinwood, and Hoisington. Large Scale and commercial scale solar projects within these areas would be under the jurisdiction of those cities.

Most of the comments and fervor at the meeting about the potential of large scale and commercial scale solar in Barton County surrounds impacts to property values and impacts to wildlife. Proximity to Cheyenne Bottoms creates a special issue related to migratory birds and endangered species.

While the current draft includes a 1-mile no build zone surrounding Cheyenne Bottoms, the planning and zoning commission originally took a recommendation to the County Commissioners with a 6-mile no build zone. But since there was no public hearing, county commissioners could not appropriately vote on that recommendation by the planning commission.

The planning commission has received letters from Audubon of Kansas, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks, and citizens recognizing the importance of Cheyenne Bottoms but these letters also recognize the economic benefits solar farms would have on the county.

Paula Manweiler spoke about the no build zone, saying she hopes the planning commission considers extending it. "I would think that you would take the no-build zone out further. I saw the recommendation of the Audubon Society. And they were suggesting, I think, six miles originally, and then they dropped it back to four miles. And they were providing research that showed that the birds nest on the average out to four miles."

A letter that was submitted mentioned studies outlining the detriment solar panels and other objects pose to birds and wildlife and also asked for an extension to the no build zone. In high winds and fog conditions birds tend to fly lower to the ground. The letter also stated that the Bottoms already supports several businesses with out-of-state visitors and hunters that add economic benefits to the county.

Gary Blessing wanted to make sure considerations for wildlife were included in fencing surrounding solar projects, explaining that chain-link fencing is like a wall but that other fencing types that allow wildlife to travel would be more appropriate. He also noted the economic effect leasing large areas would have on area farmers that rent the ground.

Keith Burton asked about unlimited building. "Is there a maximum amount that they get? In other words, they can't just keep building and building. I think it'd be set like if they had 7,000 acres that's all they got or can, once this gets going can they keep adding to it?"

Goreham explained that a part of the requirement of the planning commission considers is cumulative. Meaning that if a solar field develops and then later that same or another company wanted to increase it, they have to go through the process again.

Matt Hiss expressed his support for the current draft as it is written. "I feel like you guys have done a really good job of outlining a bunch of things and finding a good compromise in there. I encourage you guys to go ahead and take some action."

One person that spoke publicly felt any regulations are detrimental and constitute government overreach.

Andrew Clark, from Hays, also attended the meeting. "Being a non County resident, I just want everybody to know that the decisions to build inside or any place that affects the migration is bigger than just this county. And it's a very American thing to do to protect our wildlife and their migratory areas," Clark said.

The Planning commission will meet again on Monday in Hoisington to begin working through the feedback that has been received. After the commission amends the draft changes and votes, the draft regulation changes will then go in front of the Board of County Commissioners for approval.