Planning Board Looks To Harness Colorado Sun

BOULDER, CO - This afternoon, the Boulder County Planning Board will offer input on amendments to the Land Use Code regulations that govern solar energy systems. The changes could allow systems to be placed on a broader range of public and private properties, and could help generate the sort of energy that would move the county closer to its sustainability goals. County staff wrote that the new regulations "would strike a more appropriate balance between the impacts associated with solar energy systems and the level of regulatory requirements," reported the Longmont Times-Call Monday.

Some of the county's goals include facilitating building-mounted or parking garage panels and expanding location opportunities for community-owned solar gardens. Code language would also be changed to be consistent with newer solar industry standards, and would measure permissible arrays based on physical footprint rather than output.

Nonetheless, the regulations would continue to prohibit solar development on both the county's carefully guarded open space and private land with county conservation easements. Staff recommends that some smaller arrays be allowed on land within the county known as "Significant Agricultural Land" that was previously excluded.

The planning board meeting today at 3 p.m. on the third floor of the County Courthouse will include a public hearing. If the planning board approves the amendments, they will still require a final pass by the County Commissioners. A hearing could be scheduled sometime in October, reports the Camera.

Get the full story from the Times-Call, or read the full list of recommendations from county staff here.

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