The public of Norwood turned to the San Miguel County Planning Commission on Wednesday to ask the county to rethink and alter a number of the proposed photo voltaic power land use guidelines and after a protracted deliberation dialogue, the members voted to approve an amended draft.
The draft will go to the San Miguel Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) later this summer time for consideration. San Miguel County Planning Director Kaye Simonson mentioned the BOCC could have a draft of their assembly agenda in September.
A photo voltaic power moratorium on new developments was imposed in 2023 and is ready to proceed till November.
The county introduced within the moratorium in May of 2023 after tons of of space residents expressed considerations about an concept proposed to put in a photo voltaic utility undertaking in Wright’s Mesa on Lone Cone Road – OnePower guarantees the potential to develop 600 hectares of open land right into a 100-megawatt photo voltaic utility undertaking. The renewable power firm additionally mentioned the undertaking will present new native jobs and revenue, along with giving the group house for sheep to graze.
There aren’t any pending improvement functions for photo voltaic power at the moment, Simonson mentioned.
Wednesday’s assembly did not draw a packed crowd, however seats have been crammed and people who confirmed up on-line or in individual got here ready with statements.
Norwood resident Peggy Smelt Day was one of many advocates Wednesday behind an modification to the draft photo voltaic regs to rethink the definition of a giant photo voltaic undertaking, which is outlined as having of 40 acres or extra.
“Me and my husband, and lots of people I discuss to, I understand that possibly they do not present as much as these conferences, they do not write letters, however there’s a robust opinion in Norwood that 40 acres is an excessive amount of simply. massive,†mentioned Day.
He pointed to the loss, which was set at 50 toes within the draft laws.
“Fifty toes of setback is just too little,†mentioned Day. “This is an industrial software of not solely land, however scenic land, looking land, and, most significantly, wildlife land.â€
Day urged Simonson to take heed to all native feedback.
“This is America, and every part that’s great about America is occurring proper right here in our small, small city,†Day mentioned. “The folks of Wright’s Mesa and San Miguel County have the chance to design and use their opinion on a regulation. It’s wonderful. This is about everybody and that’s the reason I strongly encourage him to take heed to the folks of Wright’s Mesa and scale back the quantity of house to twenty hectares and atbacks.â€
Lifelong Norwood resident Craig Greager mentioned at Wednesday’s assembly there have been many good feedback shared. He was happy to see changes made to the place massive photo voltaic utility tasks could be zoned and allowed – to not be allowed within the Wright’s Mesa space.
“That is essential,†mentioned Greger.
Still, he feels the county has “a lot of labor ahead†on its land use code.
“It says the aim is to speed up the event of the photo voltaic system. I don’t see you doing that for another trade,†Greger mentioned. “It appears to frame on discrimination. I’ve by no means seen any language that claims you possibly can assist different companies develop. You actually need to rethink what you are doing there.â€
Simonson mentioned on the assembly that the land use code might be developed for different industries subsequent.
“In the long run, we’ll add sections for mining, logging, oil and fuel, and after that, work on geothermal power,†Simonson mentioned. “And as a facet, the state is working to organize the foundations for geothermal power associated to drilling, however not any above floor issues, so we sort of watch what the state” is being created.â€
The county will seemingly start holding its work periods on amending the land use code for mining, logging, oil and fuel, someday within the late summer time or early fall, he mentioned.
Simonson additionally mentioned the county might change the codes once more, at one other level sooner or later, if needed.
Local Mike Malley mentioned he felt shocked by Simonson’s assertion.
“I love the Norwood space and I’m a part of the Protect Wright’s Mesa Coalition,†mentioned Malley, a Norwood resident and transplant from Texas, when it was his flip to talk.
“Quote, ‘Our codes could also be modified sooner or later,’ quote,†Malley mentioned referring to Simonson’s earlier assertion.
“One of probably the most shocking†quotes from Simonson is, “‘We hope…’ – however you possibly can’t base any laws on the hope that one thing will occur,†he continued. .
Malley mentioned the coalition to guard Wright’s Mesa “feels that the model in entrance of you as we speak is transferring in the fitting path, however is only a work in progress.”
“Why take away obstacles simply to make issues extra open for the economic course of to occur? And I believe after they use phrases like, ‘Well, you are too descriptive — I do not suppose we could be too descriptive in terms of what we’re speaking about proper now. You guys did an incredible job with all of the work you set in. I imagine you’re on the fitting path, however I do not suppose we’re there but.â€
With public feedback, letters and emails gathered on the topic, members of the planning fee spoke in assist of some proposed modifications within the draft photo voltaic laws.
The draft modifications authorised by fee members embody altering the definition of medium-scale photo voltaic utility tasks to lower than 30 acres, whereas a big undertaking can be 30 acres or extra. but.
In addition, a most of three main permits on personal land could also be permitted inside a five-year timeframe (ranging from the issuance of the primary allow).
