Reprinted from York News-Times
Written by R.J. Post
After more than a year of discussion, debate, and public meetings, York County commissioners may make a final decision on solar zoning regulations on April 1.
The county board decided on Tuesday to put the regulations on the agenda for discussion only on March 18 and discussion and action on April 1.
“I thought we could give everybody an idea of what this will look like for us,” board Chairman Randy Obermier said at Tuesday’s meeting.
The York County Planning and Zoning Board first sent the proposed rules to county commissioners in January 2024. The commissioners made some revisions and sent them back to the zoning board. On Feb. 24, that board voted to return the regulations to the county commissioners.
“The zoning board kicked things back to us, no changes on their part,” Obermier said. “So, we’re still with what we had middle of last year.”
“Going forward, I think it’s imperative that we tackle this issue as soon as possible,” he said.
However, Commissioner LeRoy Ott will be absent from the board’s next meeting, which will be on March 18.
“I would prefer, if we do this, we are all in attendance,” Obermier said with Ott agreeing.
“I think it will be smart to have it on again for discussion next week,” Commissioner Daniel Grotz said.
The March 18 meeting will give the other board members a chance to discuss the solar regulations in public before making a decision April 1.
“That gives roughly a month to look at it, ask your questions, debate in your mind,” Obermier said. “Are we going forward with what is there? Are we going to recommend some changes?”
Any major revisions would require another public hearing. A public hearing on June 17, 2024, drew more than 100 people to offer a range of testimony both for and against a 2,800-acre solar facility Omaha Public Power District wants to build near McCool Junction.
“Obviously, we’ve already had the public hearing,” Obermier said. “There would be no need to have it again if there are no changes.”
Obermier asked the other commissioners if they had the recommendations from Marvin Planning Consultants of David City.
“I think we do need to talk about Marvin Consultants, too, at some point,” Commissioner Andy Bowman said. “I don’t think we’re getting our money’s worth.”
Also on Tuesday, the commissioners:
- Heard from representatives of the Southeast Nebraska Development District about Broadband Equity, Access and Development opportunities in York County.
- Approved some bylaw changes for York County Aging Services.
- Approved a budgeted transfer of $500,000 from the inheritance tax fund to the general fund.
- Sitting as the Board of Equalization, approved three tax list corrections.
