Commissioners delay decision on solar projects until drafted zoning regulations are presented in early November
BY BECKY UEHLING
GRANT TRIBUNE Correspondent
The Perkins County Commissioners took no action at their Monday, Oct. 20 meeting to approve or deny conditional use permit requests for two separate proposed solar conversion facilities in the county. The delay was made because draft zoning regulations for such facilities continue to be drawn up to assist the commissioners in their decision. Midwest Electric Cooperation Corp., and Lightsource bp are the two entities requesting the permits.
Updating the county’s 25-year-old planning and zoning document was begun early in 2025 with part of the intent to update regulations for solar and wind energy projects and adding provisions for any crypto mining and other new technological projects that might be introduced in the county. However, the updated plan had not been finished before the two separate solar farms were proposed.
According to Edward Dunn, executive director of West Central Nebraska Development District (WCNDD), which provides the planning and zoning services for Perkins County, a draft of the solar zoning regulations is anticipated to be complete before the next commissioners meeting on Monday, Nov. 3rd.
When asked by a member of the public if the commissioners had an idea as to what their decision might be, Chairman Steve Tucker stated that if the requests for the permits fall within the parameters of the new proposed regulations, then the county would have no reason to deny the requests. These requests fit within the parameters that were established within the county’s current regulations.
Commissioner Mark Bottom added that along with the updated regulations, the board is also waiting on an updated plan from Lightsource bp as to how their facility will be decommissioned when that time came. The original plan presented by Lightsource for decommissioning did not comply with state law, he said.
Other Business
Comp Plan Survey Done
Dunn announced to the commissioners that a survey of Perkins County citizens, which will assist with updating of the county’s planning and zoning document, has been completed, and that town hall meetings are being planned to present the findings to the public. Locations for the meetings will include Grant on Oct. 30th at the courthouse from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Madrid and Venango will also be locations. However, those meetings have not been set yet, he said.
Homeland Security Seeks Office Space
Perkins County Clerk James Brueggeman presented the commissioners with a request from United States Homeland Security for permission to rent office space within the courthouse for an employee who is based in Grant. Brueggeman said Homeland Security would pay the county for the use of the office, with the employee conducting such tasks as background checks for immigration purposes. The commissioners were open to the idea and asked Brueggeman to continue researching the arrangement with a final decision to be made at a later time.
Handy Bus Software Agreement
The commissioners approved a license agreement between the county, doing business as Perkins County Public Transit, and Shah Software, Inc., for the purpose of collecting detailed information on the usage of the handy bus. The usage documentation is being required by the State of Nebraska.
Next Meeting
The commissioners next meeting will be on Monday, Nov. 3rd at 8:30 a.m. at the courthouse.