During a recent government meeting, discussions centered on the potential zoning of Cherokee County, with significant implications for future land use and development, particularly regarding solar and wind energy projects. One commissioner advocated for comprehensive zoning across the county, emphasizing that it would provide necessary regulations for emerging energy technologies and streamline the approval process. However, the proposal faced opposition from other board members who expressed concerns about the costs and complexities involved in establishing a zoning framework.

The commissioner noted that implementing zoning could take considerable time, referencing Lebec County's experience, which took approximately 18 months. He estimated that hiring a planning company to assist with the zoning process could cost between $200,000 and $250,000, a significant expense not currently budgeted for the year. This financial concern raised questions about the feasibility of moving forward with zoning at this time.

Opponents of the zoning proposal highlighted the lack of previous zoning discussions during the regulation of wind energy, questioning the necessity of zoning for solar farms. They expressed a preference for maintaining the county's current unzoned status, arguing that zoning could impose overly restrictive regulations that might hinder development.

The conversation also touched on the need for a comprehensive plan and the establishment of a zoning board before any zoning decisions could be made. Some members acknowledged the importance of ensuring that any regulations put in place would protect both leaseholders and non-leaseholders in the county.

As the meeting concluded, there was a consensus on the need to extend the current moratorium on solar farm regulations to allow for further discussion and consideration of the implications of zoning. The board recognized that any decision regarding zoning would require careful deliberation and a clear understanding of the potential impacts on the community and its development.