The Planning Commission held a public hearing February 7, 2018 on the draft Comprehensive Plan amendments and closed the public hearing. The Commission continued the vote to allow staff to review the proposed amendments to determine whether they address the types of concerns raised during public comment related to solar energy facilities. Staff has concluded that the amendments as proposed to address those concerns since the Comprehensive Plan is general in nature. The Comprehensive Plan provides policy direction and general guidance. Specific requirements are laid out in the County Code. Staff will provide an overview of the relevant code sections on March 7.

This amendment adds language to two elements of the Comprehensive Plan:

Within Chapter 1, Introduction and Vision, to add a policy supportive of renewable energy generation, data centers, and high-tech industries, also

Within Chapter 1, to add a policy supportive of agritourism, agribusiness, and renewable energy generation in agricultural and rural areas; and

Within Chapter 2, Land Use, to add a policy applicable to all land uses noting renewable energy facilities should be designed to minimize impacts on neighboring properties, uses, and roadways.