Participants in this interactive game take on the role of creating a zoning ordinance for a large-scale renewable energy project, aiming to balance community preferences with what developers consider workable. This exercise challenges them to carefully weigh each zoning priority, understanding that their choices will influence whether the community maintains control over the project’s permitting or if it moves to state oversight.

The activity begins by designing a “dream” ordinance using color-coded cards that represent various zoning options. Green cards reflect CREO (Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance) standards, which developers find ideal. Blue cards are favorable, yellow are cautionary, and red cards indicate significant barriers for developers. In this stage, participants choose the elements they most prefer for their community, setting aside workability considerations for now.

The next step is testing this ordinance for balance. Participants adjust it by changing some yellow or red cards to green or blue, aiming for a realistic approach that would attract developer interest. This exercise encourages them to consider which zoning priorities are open to compromise and which are non-negotiable. As they finalize their ordinances, participants weigh the implications of each choice: a workable ordinance retains local permitting control and brings substantial benefits to the community, while an unworkable one may shift control to state regulators.

Lastly, participants are encouraged to complete the “homework” of linking their zoning choices to the community’s comprehensive plan, seeking alignment between local priorities and renewable energy goals. This final step reinforces the connection between strategic zoning and long-term community planning.