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 ...
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