49°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

County bans commercial solar projects on residential properties

A ban on commercial solar development on residentially zoned land in the Pahrump Valley goes into effect Jan. 23, after Nye County commissioners unanimously approved the measure earlier this month.

“It’s a very minor amendment to this section of the code,” Nye County Planning Director Brett Waggoner explained during the commission’s Jan. 3 meeting. “This was based off of board direction, when we had a solar applicant in front of us with a proposal for solar on some residential property.”

Consolidated Edison Development, Inc. applied for a zone change in 2022 that would have opened a roughly 100-acre parcel of private land in western Pahrump to commercial solar development.

Commissioners denied that request, however, along with the Special Use Permit required to operate the solar project.

Aside from underscoring the public’s staunch opposition to large-scale solar development in the valley, commissioners’discovered that Nye County Code allowed for commercial solar projects of up to 20 megawatts on land zoned RH 9.5, or rural homestead residential land totaling 9.5 acres or more. This was the only residential zoning with solar as an allowable use and it didn’t take long for the county to bring forward a code amendment to change that, with the public hearing on the matter taking place during the Jan. 3 meeting.

“That is all that is changed in the entire section of the code,” Waggoner emphasized. “The change is in permissive uses, which is (Nye County Code) 17.04.210. It had in there, ‘solar photovoltaic facility, 20 megawatts maximum’ and we just removed that as a permissive use. So it is no longer allowed in any case on residential land.”

Waggoner also made it clear that the code that was being amended only applies to the Pahrump Regional Planning District and in no way restricts residents from having their own, small-scale, private-use solar systems.

Nye County Commissioner Frank Carbone made the motion to adopt the code as amended, with immediate seconds offered by both commissioners Debra Strickland and Donna Cox. The motion passed with all in favor.

The code change goes into effect as of Monday, Jan. 23.

This is the latest action taken by the commission in an attempt to stem the tide of solar project applications coming into the county.

In November 2022, the board also voted unanimously to place a six-month moratorium on all solar development applications, giving the county time to hash through how each individual town feels about the possibility of having photovoltaic solar fields in their communities. In addition, last year the commission added new requirements for commercial-scale solar projects, requiring that they obtain a Special Use Permit and create a development agreement with the county. Each move has been targeted at giving the county the legal standing to prohibit the many commercial solar projects that have been proposed, primarily on Bureau of Land Management lands, over the last two years.

Contact reporter Robin Hebrock at rhebrock@pvtimes.com

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Beatty Clinic gets tons of help with new a/c

BEATTY — The Beatty Foundation, an affiliate of AngloGold-Ashanti (AGA), did tons of good at the Beatty Clinic on March 22. Nine tons, exactly.

11th Annual Chili Cook-Off brings tempting tastings and festival fun

The 11th Annual International Chili Society and Silver State Chili Cook-Off took over Petrack Park this past weekend for three days filled with savory tastings, fun and activities and of course, some intense culinary competition.

Pahrump homeschoolers dance the night away

Pahrump Valley’s homeschool youth were whisked away into the Enchanted Forest this month, with local Moose Lodge #808 hosting a night of dancing and revelry in honor of an age-old adolescent right-of-passage, prom.

Looking for some family fun for Easter? Hop over to Simkins Park

Anyone looking for a fun, family-friendly festivity to enjoy this holiday can hop on over to Simkins Park to join the Mills family as they celebrate Easter Sunday with worship music, free food and an enormous 14,000-egg hunt that is sure to bring a smile to hundreds of faces.

Campground fees to increase at Death Valley National Park

DEATH VALLEY, Calif. — Visitors to Death Valley National Park can expect a slight increase in entrance fees for various campgrounds beginning on May 1.

Clerk staffer Cori Freidhof appointed interim leader

Nye County Clerk Mark Kampf’s time in office officially comes to a close on March 31 and deputy clerk Cori Freidhof has now been selected to assume that vacated seat. Freidhof will take over the office as of Monday, April 1 and fulfill the unexpired term ending Jan. 1, 2027.

Gaming can have impact on us

When does gaming cross the line from recreational relaxation to problematic behavior? How do video games and gambling relate? What resources are available for those who find themselves struggling to control their relationship with video games and gambling?

County eyeing impact fee increases

The cost to develop in Pahrump could go up, with a public hearing on a proposal to raise local impact fees set for next month.

Here’s who filed as political candidates in Nye County

Locals have filed their political candidacy as of March 15 and this year two major offices in Nye County will be up for grabs in the general election. Nye County residents have to first narrow down their preferred party candidate on June 11 in the primary and then vote in November to support their preferred candidates.