Madison County extends moratorium and holds first reading on solar energy ordinance amendments

Madison County—fs Board of Supervisors on Tuesday opened a public hearing and approved a first reading of amendments to the county—fs solar energy systems ordinance, extending an existing moratorium for 12 months or until the revised ordinance is adopted.

Board leadership said the moratorium extension gives staff and the board time to update ordinance language and procedural rules. The board—fs announcement described the action as "extending the moratorium 12 months or until the ordinance is passed, whichever is later." The motion to enter the public hearing and the later motion to approve the amendment on first reading both passed by voice vote.

During the public hearing, a county speaker urged the board to consider agrivoltaics —f the co-location of solar panels with agricultural production —f as an option that could provide revenue to landowners while maintaining productive farmland. The speaker said appropriate setbacks and landowner agreements could allow solar panels to be used "in complement to agricultural production." No written comments were filed with the county before the hearing.

Chair and staff noted the ordinance change was being handled as a first reading. The board may schedule additional readings; the chair said the board can have up to three readings and may vote to waive the third reading at a later meeting if it chooses. The county posted the notice as required and opened both the hearing record and a public comment period during the meeting.

Next steps: the ordinance will return for further consideration at subsequent board meetings for additional readings or final adoption, as determined by the supervisors.