On June 2, 2021 at 6 p.m., Linn County will hold the second of two public meetings for residents to learn about the permitting process for utility-scale solar projects in Linn County. The meetings are specific to Linn County’s role in the permitting process and are not specific to any proposed solar project in Linn County, as Linn County has not yet received an application for utility-scale solar. The presentation is the same for both meetings.
Linn County staff will give a presentation on the solar permitting process. There will then be an opportunity for public comment, including asking questions about utility-scale solar permits. Questions may be submitted in advance to: [email protected].
Residents will be able to attend in person or virtually. Residents are encouraged to participate virtually to help reduce the number of people gathered and to help protect the health of the community during the COVID-19 pandemic. Capacity will be limited to 50 percent per current public health guidelines.
UPDATED: Please note the dial-in and web login for the GoToMeeting has been updated to allow for more virtual attendees. The updated information is listed below:
When: Wednesday, June 2, 2021
Time: 6 p.m.
Where: Linn County Fairgrounds | 201 Central City Road, Central City, IA | Lynn Dunn Memorial Building
Room Capacity at 50 percent: 250 people
Dial-in Number: 1-562-247-8422 | PIN: 657-612-677
Register to join meeting from your computer, tablet, or smartphone: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/1257301857256155404
Recording of May 25 Presentation Now Available
The recording of the May 25, 2021 solar permitting process presentation is available on Linn County’s YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/R8nB5iBt2ok The content of the June 2, 2021 presentation will be the same as the May 25 presentation.
About the Solar Permitting Process
A utility-scale solar project requires an application to rezone the area to be used for the solar installation to (RE) Renewable Energy Overlay Zoning District. As of June 1, 2021, Linn County has not yet received an application for a utility-scale solar project; and, therefore, no utility-scale projects have been through the permitting and approval process.
Once an applicant submits a utility-scale solar application to Linn County Planning & Development, the permitting review process begins. This process includes additional public meetings and public input opportunities specific to the application(s). Linn County will post applications received on its website at www.LinnCounty.org/Planning.
The review process is the same for all utility-scale applicants:
- Applicants must undergo a review by the Technical Review Committee, the Planning & Zoning Commission, a public hearing, and three readings by the Board of Supervisors.
- The Planning & Zoning Commission must consider the Technical Review Committee's findings and staff recommendation of the application, and must consider the proposed rezoning during at least one public meeting before submitting its findings and recommendation on the application to the Board of Supervisors.
- Linn County will notify the applicant and surrounding property owners of the date and time of the Planning & Zoning Commission meeting and public hearing and invite them to attend.
For more information on the utility-scale solar permitting process in Linn County, visit www.LinnCounty.org/SolarFarms.