Boulder County is looking at allowing ground-mounted accessory solar energy systems to be constructed without a site plan review waiver.
An accessory solar energy system is an area to capture solar energy and convert it into power, which can be building-mounted, ground-mounted or on a parking canopy. Boulder County Community Planning and Permitting is hosting an information season on Sept. 22 on the proposed land use code update.
The proposed text amendments would allow an accessory solar energy system that is ground-mounted to be constructed without a site plan review waiver as long as certain parameters are met on unincorporated Boulder County land.
In April, the Boulder County commissioners authorized staff to pursue text amendments regarding accessory solar energy systems. The intent of the project is to provide a set of parameters to streamline the process while continuing to mitigate the impacts of solar development.
Accessory Solar Energy System use was added to Boulder County’s land use code in 2018 and ground-mounted systems have been reviewed through the site plan review waiver since that time. These applications are generally approved with little controversy and staff said they believe that with adequate parameters the process can be eliminated.
Building-mounted solar power systems are already permitted by right while parking canopy systems require a site plan review. As proposed, ground-mounted systems that meet certain parameters could also be built by right.
These parameters as proposed include a height of less than 10 feet, applicable zoning setbacks, sitting within 100 feet of the principal use building and a cumulative panel area of less than 750 square feet.
The online information session will be 3-4:30 p.m. on Sept. 22 and will include a presentation, question and answer session and an outline of next steps. Registration is required at www.boco.org/dc-22-0002-info-session.
The public comment period on the changes is currently open through Sept. 28, which can be emailed to [email protected], or mailed to Boulder County Community Planning & Permitting, PO Box 471, Boulder, CO 80306.
