Get ready for public hearings

Public hearings play a crucial role in providing a platform for concerned citizens to voice their opinions, share information, and propose solutions. It's your chance to let the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors know what's on your mind. In this post: 1) Public Hearing 101 based on our experience and 2) the Orange County Board of Supervisors' guidance for public comment.

PUBLIC HEARING 101 For citizens interested in sharing their views on Sunfish Solar or another solar proposal during a public hearing, there will be at least two opportunities for a public hearing: when the Planning Commission reviews the project proposal, and when the Board of Supervisors reviews the proposal.

During public hearings, citizens can share their own experiences and expertise related to the focus of the hearing. You might choose to speak to an aspect of the project that would impact you, or is most worrisome for you. For Sunfish Solar, this might include sharing concerns about the loss of agricultural land and habitat, and negative impact on property values. There may be concerns about the impact of the project on the county at large; for instance, potential tax implications for citizens if the site is abandoned without proper decommissioning.

Typically you will have 3 minutes to speak before the Planning Commission and 2 minutes before the Board of Supervisors. You must give your name, address and an affiliation if you have one pertinent to the topic. Typically commenters offer a short greeting; ie "good evening" or something similar.

When you prepare your comments, don't try to share everything about your concern - select a few key points or dive deep on a single area of concern. The time limit approaches very quickly once you're up there at the mic! Do your research and have sources for any facts that may be strengthened by a source. A public hearing is not a give and take, but knowing that you have researched and prepared is a confident builder when standing at the microphone. A public hearing is an opportunity to share your thoughts on solutions, also. This may include advocating for stricter regulations on utility-scale solar projects through an ordinance.

Speakers may close with a word of thanks to the commissioners/supervisors for their time. Tip: Practice your remarks to be sure you can abide by the time limit. You don't want to get cut off!

How will I know when the public hearing is? A public hearing must be advertised to the public. A notice will be included in the Classifieds/Notices section of the Orange County Review. Public hearings will also be included as part of the agenda for the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors meetings. PC and BOS meeting schedules can be found here on the Orange County government website. We'll post the schedule for meetings related to Sunfish Solar on this website once the dates are available.

BY LAWS FOR THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS FOR ORANGE COUNTY (1/2024): PUBLIC COMMENT EXCERPT

A.      PUBLIC COMMENT

Public Comment is provided by the Board as a part of regular Board meetings. Including this section on the agenda is at the option of the Board and the Chairman; however, it is the Board’s general intent to provide for a Public Comment section during every other regular Board meeting. Public Comment is provided as a legitimate means for a citizen to address the Board about an issue of concern. Speakers shall not be permitted to speak as to matters on the public hearing calendar for the day. Speakers wishing to speak as to matters on the public hearing calendar for the day are to address the Board at the time of the public hearing and will be governed by Section V of these bylaws. Speakers shall not be permitted to speak to matters which have been previously heard by the Board at a public hearing, and which the Board has not acted upon. It is not provided as a question and answer period or for interchange between the Board and the speaker. General procedures for the conduct of the Public Comment shall include the following restrictions and guidelines, although the Chairman may impose additional guidelines as circumstances dictate or as the Board may desire:

1.       Those persons wishing to speak during the period of Public Comment will be asked to sign in upon entering the meeting room.

2.       A speaker must come to the podium and state his name, address, and group affiliation, if any, for the record.

3.       A two (2) minute time limit may be imposed on each speaker by the Chairman. For good cause shown, such as a speaker representing a group, additional time may be granted. The total time for all speakers shall be limited to fifteen (15) minutes.

(Ed. note: Not sure if the meetings follow this limit.) 

4.       Any questions posed by the speaker must be presented in writing, and the Chairman may direct appropriate staff to later respond to the questions as may be necessary or as directed by the Board. Questions not submitted in writing will not be addressed. General Freedom of Information Act guidelines would apply to specific requests for information.

5.       The Board will not generally respond to questions or answers during Public Comment. However, if so desired, in response to a written request or questions from a speaker, the Board may direct staff to provide information to the speaker, to provide further research to the Board, or to place an issue presented on a future Board agenda.

6.       The Chairman may terminate a specific speaker’s time, or the Public Comment period in general, if time does not allow for all speakers, if other items are scheduled for specific times on the agenda, or if the speaker or crowd becomes unruly, derogatory, or personally abusive toward specific individuals, or in general disruptive of the conduct of the Board’s business.