Agenda Item Name:
Title
County Solar Policies Discussion
End
Presenter:
Jeff Hays (352) 374-5249
Sean McLendon (352) 548 3765
Ben Chumley (352) 374-5249
Description:
At its August 10, 2021 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners made a motion regarding various aspects of solar energy facilities in Alachua County and requested that staff return to the Board for a future policy discussion. Staff will provide a presentation on the County’s existing Comprehensive Plan policies and ULDC regulations for solar facilities, new solar facility siting considerations, and related issues in response to the Board’s August 10th direction.
Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Hear presentation and provide any follow-up direction to staff. The following specific actions are suggested by staff for further consideration:
1. Continue to monitor and participate in current community discussions/initiatives such as those of the Joint Water & Climate Policy Board, Citizen Climate Advisory Committee, Alachua County NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice Initiative, City of Gainesville Utility Advisory Board, and others regarding solar and other renewable energy issues, and report back to the BoCC with recommendations or ideas resulting from those discussions.
2. Re-evaluate County Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use and Energy Element policies on solar, and suggest any changes needed to better articulate and implement the County Commission’s priorities on solar and other renewable energy. Potential areas of focus could include:
• Any changes needed to reflect recent revisions to state statute regarding solar facility siting in SB 896.
• Define what is meant by “preservation and strengthening of community and neighborhood character” with regard to the criteria for determining appropriate locations for institutional land uses (such as major utilities/solar arrays) described in Policy 5.2.1 of Comprehensive Plan Future Land Use Element.
• Re-evaluate solar/renewable energy purchase/production goals for County facilities.
• Focus on encouraging a distributed system of residential and commercial solar throughout the community.
End
Prior Board Motions:
From August 10, 2021 BoCC Meeting:
1. Direct staff to advertise a public hearing for the proposed ULDC revision for Solar Facilities.
2. Direct staff to review all Comprehensive Plan Policies with respect to Solar and return to a policy meeting for future policy discussion.
3. Outline what would be ideal solar sites and suggest incentives for these locations
4. Work with the future Economic Development Manager to suggest incentives for commercial solar (such as shopping centers, parking lots, and similar locations) installations and micro grids
5. Direct staff to provide suggestions to the comprehensive plan and zoning process community engagement process to include social justice, economic justice as well as environmental justice.
Fiscal Consideration:
Fiscal Consideration
N/A
End
Strategic Guide:
Infrastructure
Background:
Alachua County adopted an Energy Element into its Comprehensive Plan in 2011 (see attached Energy Element). The Energy Element identifies the County’s general priorities relating to energy, including: 1) practice energy conservation, 2) maximize energy efficiency, and (3) promote and invest in renewable energy production. There are various goals, objectives, and policies within the Energy Element that focus on achieving these three priorities, including policies relating to solar energy. These policies are highlighted in the staff presentation.
Senate Bill 896 (2021) pre-empted much of local governments’ ability to regulate the location and development standards for solar facilities other than buffering and landscaping. In response to SB 896, the Board has authorized advertisement of amendments to the ULDC to allow solar facilities as a limited use in all Agricultural zoning districts (as required by SB 896) and to establish buffering/landscaping requirements for such facilities.
It is noted that there are several current citizen/community initiatives or conversations within the County that are focusing on solar facilities and other topics relating to renewable energy. These include the Alachua County/City of Gainesville Joint Water & Climate Policy Board, the Citizen Climate Advisory Committee, the Alachua County NAACP Environmental & Climate Justice Initiative, and the City of Gainesville Utility Advisory Board. These initiatives could result in new ideas or recommendations relating to solar facilities, other renewable energy sources, or climate issues in general, and could help inform the Board’s discussions on solar. County staff are involved with or are monitoring these initiatives.