8:32 p.m. April 7, 2026
TDEC
Runoff from construction at the solar farm site is making streams muddy, prompting an on-site visit from TDEC in February.
DUANE CROSS
MCO Publisher•Editor
Moore County Planning and Zoning Commission members returned Tuesday night to lingering concerns about the Silicon Ranch solar project, pressing for answers regarding buffer distances, unapproved construction access points, road conditions, and unfinished stormwater repairs.
Commissioners said they want a follow-up on whether the required 60-foot buffer is being maintained near an entrance off Five Points Road. P&Z Chairman Dexter Golden said the fence line at that entrance did not appear to leave the full required 60-foot buffer and asked the company to double-check the measurements and report back.
The board raised concerns about construction entrances and exits being used beyond those shown on the original plans. A project representative said Silicon Ranch is working to close those unapproved access points with chain-link barriers and is reinforcing that only the approved construction entrances should remain in use.
Golden pressed for another update on road conditions, saying project traffic continues to raise concerns about damage and wear. The project representative said county officials recently drove the roads with company representatives, identified areas needing immediate attention, and began seeking pricing from paving contractors to move repairs forward.
The board also asked about the status of stormwater repairs. A project representative said only a few items remained open with TDEC, mostly tied to dry-weather conditions needed to complete repairs in several basins after the ice storm. The company said that work was nearly finished, with photos being sent to the inspector to close out the remaining items.
• TDEC Inspection Report Response Photo Exhibit
Before the discussion ended, Golden invited Silicon Ranch or its contractor, LPL Solar, to return with another public update next month or to appear before the Metro Council, with road and compliance questions still hanging over the project.
• Discussed possible future county rules related to wind turbines, with members saying they want to research what protections or limitations Moore County could put in place before any commercial wind proposal arrives.
• Agreed to ask county attorney Bill Rieder to draft a cease-and-desist or stop-work mechanism the county could use when projects move outside what was originally approved. Board members agreed that the county needs a clearer enforcement tool when construction or development no longer complies with permitted plans.
• Approved a two-parcel combination for Andy Best on Hilltop Circle, and minor subdivision requests from Whitney and Tonya Ross and from Brandon and Ashley Ross.
• P&Z keeps Retreat Phase 2 on hold
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