This photo shows part of the property where a solar power facility is proposed near Durkee, about 25 miles southeast of Baker City.

BAKER CITY — A North Carolina company wants to build a solar power facility just south of Interstate 84 near Durkee, about 25 miles southeast of Baker City.

Heelstone Development LLC is seeking a conditional use permit for its affiliate, Durkee Solar LLC.

The Baker County Planning Commission has scheduled a public hearing on the application for June 5 at 6 p.m. at the county courthouse, 1995 Third St.

The project, which would generate about 3 megawatts of electricity, according to the company’s application, would be the third solar farm in Baker County.

One is just south of Interstate 84 near Sutton Creek, about five miles south of Baker City, and the other is near Unity.

The company hopes to install the solar panels in 2025 and have the site producing power by the end of that year.

The panels would be installed over about 33 acres. The electricity would power about 670 homes, according to the application.

The 47.8-acre property is owned by Thomas and Maria Bludworth of Scappoose. The property is zoned commercial-industrial, and is between Durkee and the Desert Hills Mobile Home and RV Park.

Electricity from the project would be sold to Idaho Power Co.

The solar farm near Baker City ranks 11th on the county’s list of largest property taxpayers, with a 2023-24 bill of $129,520.

The facility near Unity, which is smaller, is not among the top 20 taxpayers, County Assessor Kerry Savage said.

Idaho Power Co. is the county’s largest property taxpayer, at $1.937 million in 2023-24. Union Pacific Railroad was second, at $1.054 million, and Ash Grove Cement was third at $944,000.

An online link to the application and other documents is available by calling Tara Micka at the planning department, 541-523-8219, or by emailing {span}tmicka@bakercountyor.gov.