Lafayette, IN
Multi-media Journalist
The second of three meetings to discuss a new ordinance for large scale solar projects features discussion on maximum project acreage, county wide acre limits and more.
With the year-long moratorium on large scale solar projects ending in June, the Tippecanoe County Area Plan Commission is working on a new ordinance.
This was the second of three meetings the commission will have to discuss the newly proposed 12 page ordinance before it reaches the county commissioners in May.
The highly discussed features of the new ordinance include a 400 acre cap on individual solar projects, a 6000 acre county maximum for solar projects and what distance solar farms need to be from property lines of non-participating property owners.
“You get on the plat-books and you start trying to look at them and see potentially where these could go, 6,000 max sounds perfect. I also totally agree at 400 max on a single project,” Tippecanoe County commissioner David Byres said.
“Setbacks are a huge issue, too, and I think what I heard earlier was the suggestion that setbacks be moved to 1000 feet and some instances. We really want to protect the property owner who is going to have their property, maybe for the rest of their lives, or give it to their children,” commissioner Tracy Brown said.
Many community members shared their thoughts on the restrictions for new large-scale solar farms in the county.
“Solar ordinances to make sure that future solar projects do comply with zoning regulations, on site setbacks and decommissioning. But also, as you make these decisions, please consider solar is the fastest growing energy source in the U.S. So, let’s not get left behind,” Barb Brown said.
“You cannot build utility scale projects with these setbacks and these acreages and have it be economical, just due to the size and cost of building and substation that’s associated with it. I think there needs to be more consideration,” Brendan Miller said.
Another public hearing for the ordinance would be April 15 at 4:45 p.m. in the County Commissioners Building.
Multi-media Journalist
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