FLINT TWP., Mich. (WNEM) – A proposal to build a 10,000-panel solar farm on a former landfill that later became recreational soccer fields is moving forward after the Flint Township Planning Commission approved a special use permit Thursday night.
Representatives with AC Power 36 LLC presented their plan for the 28-acre site at 1200 S. Linden Road, land currently owned by Racer Properties LLC. While the fields have been used for soccer in recent years, community members and officials acknowledged that the space hasn’t seen consistent activity.
Planning Commission Chairman Larry Ford said the board worked to balance community concerns with long-term growth opportunities.
“We have to protect our constituency, but we also have to be open for expansion,” Ford said during the meeting. “You heard me say we want to be business-user friendly and we do.”
Because the property was once a landfill, developers told the commission the solar farm would remain entirely above ground. No digging or underground installation is planned, something they say makes the location appropriate for a renewable-energy project.
Developers already have an interconnection agreement with Consumers Energy, allowing electricity generated from the site to flow directly into the grid once built.
Ford called the proposal “a reasonable use of property that may have laid foul for years,” while one resident described repurposing a capped landfill for solar as “a stroke of genius.”
The special use permit gives AC Power 36 LLC the ability to fine-tune design plans and move further into the review process, though final development steps will require additional approvals.
“As long as they live up to their agreements, I think everything will be fine, and we’re going to be happy to have them in our community,” Ford said after the vote.
Township officials said more detailed project information will be released as planning continues. The next Flint Township Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for Jan. 8 at 6 p.m.
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