Bannock County to host Public Hearing for new Land Use and Development Ordinance, including ban reversal on renewable energy projects

POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) – The Land Use and Development Ordinance (LUDO) has been quietly under construction in Bannock County for the last two years, as the county commissioners debate topics including how to potentially allow renewable energy resource projects into the county. Previously, the LUDO was a total of eight separate documents, while the new, finished version combines the documents into a simplified single code. Residents have the opportunity to review this document and propose changes to Bannock County at the end of the month.

Tristan Bourquin, Assistant Planning Director for Bannock County, stated in a press release the old documents were "outdated land-use rules," and they have gone "line by line to clean up." Bourquin added the efforts of the last years have been to update the land-use requirements as well as eliminate any overlapping regulations due to the separate documents.

There are several key changes to the code in the new LUDO document, including the elimination of an outright ban on renewable energy resources. Debate sparked over solar energy coming to Bannock County near Downey months ago, as commissioners discussed rewriting the ban ordinance. The new LUDO requires energy projects to obtain a Conditional Use Permit, similar to the process Lex Developments has been completing to put a data center in Pocatello.

To get a Conditional Use Permit, the development company must go through a rigorous application process, adhere to the "strict safeguards" outlined in the ordinance, and the projects will be further discussed by residents at public hearings.

Public Information Officer for Bannock County, Emma Iannacone, outlined several other major changes residents should be aware of in the new document. These include removing open space requirements to allow property owners full use of their land and adjusting minimum lot size requirements in certain areas to align with their intended uses.

Residents have already voiced concerns over their intentions when buying agriculturally-zoned land in Bannock County, only to have it neighboring a potential large-scale project if the new ordinance is adopted. Commissioners and contributors to the updated LUDO report that they have strict guidelines for any developments looking to come to Bannock County.

Before the draft document is final, Bannock County will host public hearings to incorporate public opinion on the proposed changes. The Planning and Development Council Hearing will be held at Chubbuck City Hall on Thursday, October 29 at 6 p.m. During the hearing, the Advisory Council will review the document, accept public testimony limited to three minutes per person, and then issue a formal recommendation of the suggestions to the Board of Commissioners.

Residents can also submit written testimony of less than two pages by October 21. They can be sent by email to development@bannockcounty.gov or mailed to the Planning and Development Services Office.

Bannock County also issued a tentative meeting notice of the Board of County Commissioners Hearing for Thursday, November 19 at 11 a.m. at the Bannock County Courthouse. At this meeting, the commissioners will review the Council's recommendations, accept more public testimony, and evaluate the newest draft for potential adoption, revision, or denial.

Local News 8 will continue updating this developing story as Bannock County confirms or changes the tentative commissioners' hearing date.

To view the new Land Use and Development Ordinance Document, visit bannockcounty.gov/ourfuture.