TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) – People living in Toledo’s Old South End are worried about what will happen if their greenery gets replaced by a proposed solar field.
Neighbors say the site a developer is eyeing is filled with trees, plants, and animals. They’re concerned about the effects a solar field might have on the wildlife.
Rachel Shoup says she walks with her children along Lotus Avenue every day. It’s on their route to school, but they also often stop and admire the wildlife in the field that sits in between Lotus Avenue and the Maumee River.
“They see wild turkeys down there, they see deer down there, we’ve eagles, foxes, rabbits, you name it, they’re down there,” Shoup said.
When Shoup and her family heard that the Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission was hearing a case on whether to approve building a solar field in that space, they were frustrated.
“It won’t be as pretty and there won’t be as much nature,” said Zoey, Shoup’s 13-year-old daughter.
Other neighbors living on Lotus Avenue had similar thoughts about the wildlife.
“My concern is a lot for the migrating birds,” said Penny Noyes, who lives on Lotus Avenue.
Noyes questioned whether solar panels may confuse birds flying overhead, who may mistake them for the river.
The Historic South Initiative, a nonprofit that fixes up homes in the Old South End, is the one planning the solar field. In its proposal to the plan commission, leaders wrote that they want to use 4.6 acres for a standalone solar field.
The Historic South Initiative would sell the energy at a reduced price. That money would fund the group’s improvement projects.
Sue Terrill grew up right next to the greenery near Lotus Avenue.
“We’re not against the solar panels, we’re against the location against the river and for the neighbors,” Terrill said.
Her concerns about the proposed solar field led her to create fliers about the situation. She’s also spreading the word about a meeting with residents and the Historic South Initiative. It’s set for Monday, April 6 at 6 p.m. at the South Branch Library.
The Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commission pushed back its vote on the case until after the Historic South Initiative meets with residents.
The Plan Commission is expected to vote on the case during its meeting on April 9.
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