Solar amendment added to county land ordinance

A solar energy facilities provision is being added to the county’s subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO).
The commissioners issued a preliminary approval to the SALDO amendment – pending review by the solicitor – at the Wednesday, Feb. 8, meeting.
The amendment addresses land development plans for the potential construction of commercial solar projects – including the construction, operation and decommissioning of the commercial scale solar energy facilities.
The entire proposed amendment can be found under the planning commission tab on the county website.
Commissioner Alan Hall said, “It’s basically just to protect the property owners and communities with some basic language through the SALDO. It does not take away any rules the municipalities put in place. I am sure it will be an ongoing tweak as we go along.”
Commissioner Judith Herschel said the county is seeing quite an increase from companies interested in solar projects in the county.
The county office building – also known as the Warner Building on Public Ave., Montrose – is getting a new roof. The commissioners approved contracting for engineering services with Greenman Pederson at a total cost of $32,500.
The commissioners approved an upgrade to the camera system at the correctional facility, at a cost of $11,992.
The following people were appointed to the Local Emergency Planning Committee, effective through Feb. 1, 2024:
Alan Hall – elected official; Blaine Dibble – health organization; Phil Price – fire personnel; Thomas Jimmie Jr. – HazMat; Scott Aylesworth – EMA; Courtney Howell – Broadcast Management; Ken Bondurant – Community Groups; Don Kessler Jr. – facility owner/operator; Joe Adornato- health organization; Connor McCloskey – facility owner/op; John Corbin – facility owner/op; Timothy Fox – health organization; Donna Davis – community groups; Brody Webster – facility owner/op; Nathan Wallace – EMA.
The commissioners also addressed questions about the question of airfare expenses involving a county employee.
Hall said there is one employee that “we do fly in and out of here” but noted that employee was “on the clock” and it was “all part of his compensation package for the work.”
He also said the travel was not daily, but took place about every six weeks.
Hall said the travel has been going on for many, many years. “It affects our NexGen project and that travel is paid for with grant money.”