Hello everyone: 

There have been several inquiries concerning the status of solar and wind power regulations and the Draft Zoning Ordinance.  The Board reviewed staff’s recommendations for the requirements/permit process concerning Solar and Wind Energy structures on December 13, 2011.  Based upon Board direction, staff developed revisions that will be incorporated into the Draft Zoning Ordinance that will be discussed next Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at 1:00 pm in the Board Chambers.  A key portion of the revisions is provided below under Section 24-156.  This table helps to explain the 4 different utility types/tiers and their corresponding definitions/permit processes.

Additional public input is encouraged regarding solar and wind energy systems. 

Also, the definitions have been amended to further clarify our goals - Draft Zoning Ordinance Part 7 -Definitions

Utilities, Minor. Utility facilities that are necessary to support on-site development on the same parcel that involves only minor structures. Examples of Utilities, Minor include Tier 1 Solar Energy Facilities, Auxiliary Rooftop and Micro Wind Energy Systems, power lines, water and sewer lines, water transmission lines, storm drainage facilities, transformers, and water and sewer pump stations.  Utilities, Minor includes uses permitted by right with a building permit in all zones. 

Utilities, Accessory. Utility facilities that are accessory to a permitted use including Tier 2 Solar Energy Systems and Agricultural Wind Energy Systems.  Utilities, Accessory includes uses that are permitted by an Administrative Permit in most zones, refer to the Use Regulation Table for each zone. 

Utilities, Intermediate. Utility facilities at a level between Utility, Accessory and Utility, Major including Tier 3 Solar Energy Systems and Small Wind Energy Systems. Utilities, Intermediate includes uses that are permitted by a Minor Use Permit in most zones, refer to the Use Regulation Tables for each zone. 

Utilities, Major. Large-scale facilities of a regional nature including Tier 4 Solar Energy Systems, Large Wind Energy Systems, power plants, hydro-electric facilities, electricity transmission substations, water storage tanks, community wastewater treatment plants, commercial and industrial composting operations, and similar facilities. Utilities, Major includes uses that are permitted by a Conditional Use Permit in most zones, refer to the Use Regulation Tables for each zone.

Finally, for your information, there is a lot of great information that I was involved with developing in an effort to achieve statewide consistency for the regulation and installation of solar photovoltaics via the California County Planning Directors Association (CCPDA).  You can view our new Solar Guidance Document and Model Regulations at http://www.ccpda.org/solar .

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact Principal Planner Dan Breedon, 530-538-7629 or email at dbreedon@buttecounty.net .  You can also contact me at 530-538-6821 or via email to tsnellings@buttecounty.net .

Take care and we hope to see you Tuesday.  If you can't attend, feel free to send us an email with your comments and we'll share them with the Board.

Take care, Tim

Tim Snellings, Director
Butte County Department of Development Services