Commission continues Honey Solar Stone ordinance amendment for 90 days to allow legal review and revisions

Aug. 7, 2025 — The Cache County Planning Commission voted to continue consideration of the Honey Solar Stone Project ordinance amendment for up to 90 days to allow additional review and legal edits.

Staff described the key changes in the draft ordinance since the previous meeting: small-scale and community solar would be permitted in the A-10, commercial and industrial zones; utility-scale commercial solar and battery-storage uses would be limited to the industrial zone rather than being permitted in RE-2 and RE-5; and financial guarantees for restoration would be posted in phased increments tied to project milestones, with the full amount required by year 15 when operations are expected to begin.

Commissioners asked staff whether comparable ordinances and examples from other counties had been reviewed; staff said many counties with solar ordinances are in more remote/agricultural areas and that local practice varied. Commissioners also asked planning staff to coordinate final language with the county attorney; staff said the draft had been reviewed internally and that legal would provide edits. One commissioner said the public infrastructure overlay originally considered would have required a conditional use approval; keeping the use as a rezone provides an additional discretionary step for the county and council.

A motion to continue the Honey Solar Stone Project ordinance amendment for up to 90 days was made, seconded and passed by voice vote. Staff said they would circulate updated drafts and sample ordinances from other jurisdictions and return to the commission when legal review and edits were complete. Ending: Staff will provide an updated draft and sample ordinances and bring the item back for commission consideration within the continuance period.