We have learned that Page County Supervisors are considering three different solar ordinances and they need to hear from Page Citizens to approve the right one. Visit this page with a timeline and instructions on how to submit comments.
Here are the ordinances the supervisors are considering:
The “Good” Ordinance
This solar ordinance was carefully (and painstakingly) written specifically for Page County. It involved the planning commission, expertise of paid consultants, the Berkley Group, and much valuable citizen input. This solar ordinance passed the planning commission with a vote of 9-1. And, this is the solar ordinance 24 Page County citizens urged the Board of Supervisors to adopt at the December 15 public hearing. This still remains the best ordinance for Page County and is THE ordinance that the Board of Supervisors needs to pass!
The “Bad” Ordinance
This ordinance was presented by one supervisor at the subcommittee and is nearly verbatim from the version submitted by the attorney representing the landowner for Cape Solar. This ordinance strips away all protections for agricultural lands and waterways. It would allow utility scale solar development to cover up to 450 acres and to locate adjacent to residential areas with reduced setbacks. This ordinance is simply inadequate! It doesn’t protect our valuable agricultural soils or waterways or critical viewsheds.
The “Ugly” Ordinance
This draft ordinance, presented in the agenda packet, should NOT be considered since it is so distant from the “Good” ordinance that citizens have supported. It strips ALL protections and replaces requirements with recommendations and suggestions. There isn’t even a size limit on projects! This version does not deserve consideration.
It is imperative the Board of Supervisors hears from citizens which ordinance is the RIGHT ordinance to support: the ordinance developed by and supported by the planning commission and the one they were asked to support at the December 15, 2020 public hearing. Visit this page with a timeline and instructions on how to submit comments.
Note: We are pleased that Page County has begun live streaming government meetings in both audio and video and that staff will be at each meeting to ensure the technology works correctly. Meetings are live streamed on the Page County YouTube page and you can also join by Zoom. Information on how to join by Zoom is listed the board agenda packet.