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Only three days after receiving the Moore County Planning and Zoning Department’s letter recommending the council consider a fee of $350 per acre for the Silicon Ranch building permit, the Metro Council bounced the issue right back to Planning and Zoning.

This figure was “determined to off-set the costs that Metro Moore County could incur, such as engineering studies, EPA requirements, inspections, water testing, attorney fees, road studies, and any county clean-up, etc.” There was no explanation as to how that figure was determined or what “etc.” might be.

The Council’s reluctance to pass the proposed figure stems from a lack of information and an abundance of caution. Silicon Ranch has not provided even a preliminary site plan. In addition to the solar panels, a substation will have to be built and roads will be needed. Normally an industry applying for a building permit will have information as to the size of the building, parking space, water, and electrical needs. The Ranch is not the typical industry. The 1,400 acre project is the first of its kind in the county, and there is nothing comparable in the whole state.

Morey Hill, Rob Riley, and attorney Madison Haynes attended the meeting, representing Silicon Ranch and voiced their frustration. Their position is that fees are not based on site plans, but instead are based on industry. Industrial building permit fees are capped at $4,500. However, the $350 per acre fee was acceptable to them.

Council member Amy Cashion pointed out that it is not up to the council to determine fees. The Council votes up or down on proposed fees. In the end, the board voted on Peggy Sue Blackburn’s motion to table the issue, 9 for and 6 against. The issue will be go back to Planning and Zoning again.