Ada County’s new solar rules balance community and property rights | Opinion

Dec. 21 marks the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere, where we live. Despite the short days we experience in the winter, during the summer Southwest Idaho enjoys abundant sunshine. The number of sunny days we have in Ada County is above the U.S. average. This explains why solar energy projects and farming are important industries in our region.

As with all public policy issues, things are never simply black or white.

Ada County recently updated our zoning ordinance to include specific guidelines around large solar panel facilities. You’ve probably seen something similar when you drive east toward Mountain Home — acres and acres of solar panels on federal land. What you may also notice is that those fields of solar panels do not sit directly next to farms or homesteads. They are mostly on desert land.

This board is proud of the hours of thoughtful public input, discussion and analysis that went into updating our Ada County Zoning Ordinance as it relates to solar projects. Here’s what the new zoning ordinance says:

Solar facilities in Unincorporated Ada County cannot be located on prime farmland, or farmland of statewide or local importance, unless it can be demonstrated that the land is not economically viable for agricultural production. The criteria to determine if a property is prime farmland is determined by specific data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and qualified soil scientists.

The board has approved solar facilities in unincorporated Ada County and believes this critically important guardrail helps us protect the farmland that has been part of this area and our nation’s heritage for generations. Many people may not know that parts of Ada County are considered some of the most important seed growing areas in the world.

According to the Idaho Department of Agriculture a large portion of the world’s seed production happens in parts of southwest Idaho including Ada County. Because of the Treasure Valley’s dry, hot summers and abundant irrigation, farmers grow about 60 different varieties of vegetable seeds for commodities like alfalfa, onions, beans and carrots. Those seeds are sold around the world. Idaho actually produces 70% of the world’s sweet corn seed.

This board supports private property rights, low taxes, and free-market ideals. At the same time, every community in the country uses zoning regulations to balance individual property rights with the interests of neighboring landowners and the community as a whole. Ada County Code allows cell towers, racetracks and nightclubs, but only in locations and under conditions designed to ensure compatibly with surrounding uses. Solar farms are no different.

While the board supports solar energy development, it is appropriate and necessary to establish reasonable standards governing where large-scale facilities may be located, particularly when long-term land conversion and impacts to agricultural resources are involved.

Zoning ordinances exist for this precise purpose: to provide predictability, fairness and balance between private property rights and the interests of our community.

Next year is the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. This milestone in our nation’s history underscores the importance of reviewing and evaluating decisions made by government entities. Few decisions in government are embraced and applauded by everyone. That’s why it is important to refine, review and explain our decision-making processes. We believe it is important to share all the salient facts and considerations with our community, to help shine the light on why decisions are made.

Ryan Davidson and Tom Dayley are Ada County commissioners. Rod Beck is Ada County Commission chairman.