By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
After voting down specific regulations for solar development three weeks ago, the Great Bend City Council Monday night revisited the topic and approved the original ordinance. The city’s three-mile zoning jurisdiction now has similar regulations as the rest of Barton County that includes a 1,000-foot setback for any solar development from the property line of a tract with a residence.
Mayor Cody Schmidt was in favor of going along with the work the Great Bend Planning Commission did when creating the regulations.
"I just feel like, the Planning Commission giving us a recommendation...that's why we have them in play and to help us with some of these decisions," said Schmidt. "They felt like 1,000-foot setback was fair and safe. I've talked with Fire Chief Brent Smith on the fire issues. I feel very comfortable being at 1,000 feet as a city as well."
On Dec. 16, the city council voted 4-3 to move forward with no solar regulations. Jolene Biggs, one of the councilmembers that voted against the regulations, stated Monday that she was now in favor of regulations but wanted to see a 2,000-foot setback from properties.
RELATED STORY: Great Bend council votes to have no specific solar regulations
"The three-mile area also includes land where any growth of the city will necessarily occur," said Biggs. "Zoning in the three-mile zone should also take into account how a particular land use will negatively impact city growth. The same open areas that are the most likely placement for large-scale solar facilities is the very same land that city needs for potential growth."
The city council voted 5-2 to pass the original regulations, with Biggs and councilmember Rickee Maddox voting against the motion.
Companies interested in building solar plants within the zoning jurisdiction will still need to get approval from the council for a conditional use permit.