Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
Serving Clovis, Portales and the Surrounding Communities
ROSWELL — A citizens’ commission chose not to recommend permits for a California company wanting to develop community solar projects east of the city.
The Chaves County Planning and Zoning Commission voted April 5 to make recommendations to deny the special use permits sought by Cenergy Power of Carlsbad, California, also known as BAP Power Corp.
The matter now goes to the Chaves County Board of Commissioners, which is expected to consider the two zoning cases on April 14.
The Planning and Zoning commissioners said that they based their decisions on the objections of the neighbors who spoke at the meeting.
The neighbors voiced several concerns. Some said the solar panels would mar the visual appeal of the area. Some said they thought it would cause their property to be less marketable in the future. Others worried about possible soil erosion, which could cause runoff into the nearby Spring River. Some said that the fencing would disturb the migration paths or habitats of larger wildlife. Others said they wanted land in the area to be used for homes or agricultural purposes.
