LAFAYETTE, IN — A preliminary draft of the amended version of Tippecanoe County’s zoning ordinance on solar energy projects offers residents a look at what changes have been discussed, as the Area Plan Commission’s ordinance committee gears up for another meeting to discuss changes.
Tippecanoe County APC staff member Nathan McBurnett said the draft ordinance posted to the APC website offers the public insight on what changes have been made after the March 4 meeting, which are highlighted and underlined in red, compared with language that’s been removed, which is struck through in red.
Development standards and required setbacks were two of the main sections of the ordinance with substantial changes, McBurnett said. Among several scenarios for a proposed development are requirements for distance from nonparticipating properties and structures. Standards are also spelled out for solar panels and mounting devices.
Decommissioning plans in the ordinance also were changed, including the requirement that all underground components and equipment be removed unless the process would cause “excessive soil disruption.”
Along with addressing how to propose that land zoned AA be taken out of the special exception qualification, the ordinance also lays out a cap on solar projects in Tippecanoe County.
“No more than an aggregate of 6,000 total acres of the county shall be developed for Large-Scale Solar Energy Systems,” the ordinance reads.
McBurnett said that although the current ordinance draft is detailed, much of the “nitty-gritty” detail will be discussed during the April 1 ordinance committee meeting in the Tippecanoe County Office Building at 20 N. Third St. That meeting, scheduled for 4:30 to 7 p.m., will primarily hammer out further ordinance language, allowing limited time for public comment toward the end.
The April 15 APC meeting will also allow language changes to the proposed ordinance, McBurnett said, where public comment will be unlimited.
Jillian Ellison is a reporter for the Journal & Courier. She can be reached via email at jellison@usatodayco.com.

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