Status of Utility-Scale Solar Facility Regulations
Douglas County:
Last Planning Commission Meeting where Draft Regulations were discussed was on Jan. 24, 2022. Douglas County’s regulations contain more detail and protections for specific issues/concerns.
You can view that meeting here: https://youtu.be/3mgsDJWHDqU
The next date for the Planning Commission to meet is set for Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022 at 6:30pm City Commission Room, 1st Floor City Hall, 6 E. 6th Street Lawrence, KS.
Karen Willey Planning Commission Ad Hoc Subcommittee Chair for Utility-Scale Solar has indicated to us that the meeting will be both In-Person + Virtual Option (Hybrid Meeting).
They will be welcoming PUBLIC COMMENT and they NEED ALL OF US to make any critical FINAL SUGGESTIONS, REQUESTS, for Utility-Scale Solar at THIS MEETING! They expect to spend considerable time engaging with the Public at this meeting!
Current Draft of Regulations: Click on the link below to read all regulation details, jump to page 6 to view regulations https://lawrenceks.civicweb.net/document/88458/Consider%20a%20text%20amendment,%20TA-21-00173,%20to%20add%20.pdf?handle=006F2BF9D2E8476496F8D7292A28FC35
Highlights of Douglas Counties Draft Regulations:
- Max Project Area Size: 1,000 Acres, no shall contain more than 20 contiguous acres total.
- Buffer from any City: Accommodate the future growth of incorporated cities, does not stipulate exact buffer.
- Project Boundary Setback: 25 Feet
- Setback from Dwellings: 500 Feet, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) not allowed within this setback, bufferyard landscaping, fencing and
access drives however may be within the 500 feet. - Conditional Use Permit (CUP) Term Limit: 25 Years
- Slopes: Avoid Steep Slopes of 15% or Greater
- Water and Soil Testing: Required, provided by EPA Certified Lab vetted by County, paid for by developer