57.8

Risk Grade

Fair

Ozark Mountains terrain limits viable sites; growing retiree community with scenic preservation concerns; worsening political sentiment; elevated CUP scrutiny

Assessment Snapshot

Population

42736

State Rank

#35

Compliance

55%

Trajectory

Moratorium Status

✓ No Active Moratorium

No specific moratorium information available.

Ordinance & Regulations

Setback Requirements

300 ft property line; 500 ft occupied structures (county-enhanced)

Zoning Mechanism

Conditional Use Permit (CUP) - Quorum Court; public hearing required

Acreage Caps

None established (under review)

Spacing Rules

None established

Size Restrictions

None established

Board Sentiment & Political Risk

Sentiment Analysis

Mixed - retiree/scenic preservation opposition; some economic support

Basis for Assessment

Quorum court hearings; Mountain Home Area Chamber; Baxter Bulletin

Political Risk Factors

Worsening

Board Members

County Judge (R); 9-member Quorum Court - baxterco.org

Grid, Utilities & State Context

Grid Operator

SPP / North Arkansas Electric Cooperative

Utilities

North Arkansas Electric Cooperative (NAEC), Entergy Arkansas (limited)

State Permitting Process

County zoning authority; Act 827 sets minimum ANRC standards; conditional use permit or special exception required; decommissioning bond required; setback minimums set by ANRC

State Incentives

Federal ITC eligible; no Arkansas state solar tax credit; Act 827 ANRC framework

Development Activity

Active/Completed Projects

Mountain Home Solar (15 MW, 2021)

Denied/Withdrawn Projects

None known

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Baxter County, AR — Solar Development Risk Assessment