A TEMPORARY ZONING ORDINANCE REGULATING UTILITY-SCALE ALTERNATIVE ENERGY IN ALL PENNINGTON COUNTY ZONING DISTRICTS

PURPOSE: The Pennington County Board of Commissioners has determined there is a present need to study the impact of utility-scale alternative energy systems in all Pennington County Zoning Districts in order to evaluate whether current zoning regulations reasonably address concern for public health, safety and welfare.

WHEREAS, SDCL § 11-2-10 authorizes the Board of County Commissioners, in the interest of public health, safety and general welfare, to adopt temporary zoning controls for a reasonable period of time in order to study, identify and consider necessary land use regulations; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED that the Pennington County Board of Commissioners hereby authorize a one (1) year moratorium on the issuance of any new permits and/or approval of land uses for proposed utility-scale alternative energy systems, including both solar and wind energy systems, regulated under Section 317 of the Pennington County Zoning Ordinance, in all Pennington County Zoning Districts. This moratorium shall expire on November 18, 2025 unless otherwise extended by law.

IT IS FURTHER ORDAINED, by the Pennington County Board of Commissioners, the provisions and adoption of this ordinance shall take effect upon completed publication per SDCL §§ 11-2-10 & 7-18A-8.

Approved this 19th day of November, 2024.

Pennington County Board of Commissioners

 

/s/ Lloyd LaCroix, Chair

 

Public Reading: November 19, 2024
Publication: December 11 & 12, 2024
Effective: December 12, 2024