Cache County Council Special Meeting and Workshop – 11-17-2025

- The council approved the meeting agenda, with one item struck from the agenda before moving into discussion. - The main topic was large-scale solar siting, and council and commissioners generally agreed that industrial-scale solar should not be handled as a simple conditional use. They leaned toward a more restrictive code, likely through a solar-specific overlay zone and/or a rezone process, to preserve control over scope, size, and location. - Members expressed strong concern about placing large solar projects on Cache Valley farmland or at community gateways and vistas, calling potential projects an eyesore and a permanent land-use impact. They also raised worries about projects going bankrupt, leaving damaged land, or creating a de facto industrial zone that could later be used for other industrial uses. - Planning staff said the draft solar code was being revised to include a solar overlay zone and size limits, with discussion of a 20-to-500-acre range and spacing between projects. However, staff also noted that if the acreage cap is too low, the code may make large-scale solar economically unworkable. - The council and staff discussed reclamation bonds, but several members questioned whether farmland could truly be restored after solar development, especially if soils are sterilized or otherwise altered. They also noted that transmission access and interconnection requirements may make some projects infeasible even if zoning allows them. - A second major topic was water, septic, and subdivision size, with the council focusing on limiting large subdivisions in unincorporated areas until a groundwater study is complete. The discussion centered on requiring larger developments to connect to municipal water/sewer where possible, or otherwise have a community water system if they exceed seven lots. - State and health officials explained that subdivisions near municipal sewer may be required to request connection based on a distance multiplier, and that well/septic requirements depend heavily on soil type and water source. Bear River Health and the state engineer emphasized that meters are required, and that lot sizes and septic feasibility vary significantly by water source and soil conditions. - Fire officials strongly supported requiring pressurized water systems or equivalent infrastructure for larger rural subdivisions, warning that response to well-based homes is much harder and often results in losing the primary structure. They noted that modern homes burn hotter and faster, making hydrants, community systems, and reliable water supply critical for life safety. - The council discussed tying subdivision approval to future annexation where a municipality is willing to annex, so developments near cities are more likely to be absorbed rather than remain county burdens. Members also raised the idea of requiring applicants to agree in advance not to oppose annexation, though they acknowledged legal and practical limits. - Next steps included continuing work on the RU-2 and RU-5 code changes, reviewing the updated solar draft, and checking whether the moratorium can be extended or whether changes must be in place before it expires. Staff were asked to bring back clearer language on annexation, water-system requirements, and possibly a decision tree or guidance page for applicants.