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James Cade drives around the farming community in Wexford Township where a proposed solar project could change the landscape and rural character that has many in the municipality opposed to it.
Area residents, including hobby farmer James Cade, say the proposed 300-megawatt Shipyard Solar project threatens productive farmland, rural character and local agriculture, while emphasizing they are not opposed to renewable energy itself.
A scene where a pivot irrigation system waters fields of crops in Wexford Township could be seen a lot less if a proposed solar project is green lit. While many who are in opposition to the project support solar energy/clean energy, they also said they think usable farm land is more important.
Solar panels like this could soon be seen in portions of Wexford Township in Wexford County and Grant Township in Grand Traverse County if a proposed project is green lit. The proposed Ranger Power project would generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity and occupy about 1,800 fenced acres under long-term lease agreements with participating landowners, but the only problem for those living in the area is it would be housed on usable farm land.
James Cade coaxes a cow to get back in its enclosure after it escaped from the barn. Cade and others who live in an area of Wexford Township are quick to help each other but they believe their way of life could be altered if a proposed solar project is green lit.
These rows of crops could be traded for rows of solar panels if a proposed Ranger Power project is given the green light to utilize about 1,800 acres under long-term lease agreements with participating landowners.
Even if local officials from several townships reject the zoning amendment that would allow for a solar project in Wexford Township, Michigan’s Public Act 233 could allow Ranger Power to seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission, leaving the project’s future uncertain.
Staff Writer/Reporter
James Cade drives around the farming community in Wexford Township where a proposed solar project could change the landscape and rural character that has many in the municipality opposed to it.
Area residents, including hobby farmer James Cade, say the proposed 300-megawatt Shipyard Solar project threatens productive farmland, rural character and local agriculture, while emphasizing they are not opposed to renewable energy itself.
A scene where a pivot irrigation system waters fields of crops in Wexford Township could be seen a lot less if a proposed solar project is green lit. While many who are in opposition to the project support solar energy/clean energy, they also said they think usable farm land is more important.
Solar panels like this could soon be seen in portions of Wexford Township in Wexford County and Grant Township in Grand Traverse County if a proposed project is green lit. The proposed Ranger Power project would generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity and occupy about 1,800 fenced acres under long-term lease agreements with participating landowners, but the only problem for those living in the area is it would be housed on usable farm land.
James Cade coaxes a cow to get back in its enclosure after it escaped from the barn. Cade and others who live in an area of Wexford Township are quick to help each other but they believe their way of life could be altered if a proposed solar project is green lit.
These rows of crops could be traded for rows of solar panels if a proposed Ranger Power project is given the green light to utilize about 1,800 acres under long-term lease agreements with participating landowners.
Even if local officials from several townships reject the zoning amendment that would allow for a solar project in Wexford Township, Michigan’s Public Act 233 could allow Ranger Power to seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission, leaving the project’s future uncertain.
• The Wexford Joint Planning Commission unanimously recommended denying a zoning amendment that would allow utility-scale solar facilities in Ag/Forest Production districts, but the proposal still moves to township boards.
• Area residents, including hobby farmer James Cade, say the proposed 300-megawatt Shipyard Solar project threatens productive farmland, rural character and local agriculture, while emphasizing they are not opposed to renewable energy itself.
• Even if local officials reject the zoning amendment, Michigan’s Public Act 233 could allow Ranger Power to seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission, leaving the project’s future uncertain.
Story Highlights • The Wexford Joint Planning Commission unanimously recommended denying a zoning amendment that would allow utility-scale solar facilities in Ag/Forest Production districts, but the proposal still moves to township boards. • Area residents, including hobby farmer James Cade, say the proposed 300-megawatt Shipyard Solar project threatens productive farmland, rural character and local agriculture, while emphasizing they are not opposed to renewable energy itself. • Even if local officials reject the zoning amendment, Michigan’s Public Act 233 could allow Ranger Power to seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission, leaving the project’s future uncertain.
BUCKLEY — James Cade and others who live in an area of Wexford Township are quick to help each other.
Whether it’s answering a question or helping retrieve a cow that has escaped its enclosure and is on the lam, neighbors are there to lend a hand. They want it to stay that way, but they believe a proposed solar project would not only end that neighborly interaction, it would change the landscape and their way of life.
For that reason, Cade has been outspoken in his opposition to the proposed solar farm that could make acres of solar panels his new neighbors.
Cade isn’t the only one opposed to the project. In fact, opposition to the proposed Shipyard Solar project continues to build in northwest Wexford County, even after the Wexford Joint Planning Commission unanimously recommended denying a zoning ordinance amendment tied to the development.
While the commission’s July 27 vote was viewed by many residents as an important victory, supporters and opponents alike acknowledge it does not end the process.
The proposed Shipyard Solar project, developed by Ranger Power, would span portions of Wexford Township in Wexford County and Grant Township in Grand Traverse County.
According to company materials, the project would generate up to 300 megawatts of electricity and occupy about 1,800 fenced acres under long-term lease agreements with participating landowners.
Ranger Power says it began acquiring land in 2023 and is targeting permitting in 2026, construction beginning in late 2028 and commercial operation by the second quarter of 2030.
The company has said it selected the area because of existing transmission infrastructure, willing landowners and proximity to electricity demand. Ranger Power also says the project would avoid wetlands, streams and sensitive wildlife habitat whenever possible while generating tens of millions of dollars in personal property tax revenue over the life of the project, creating hundreds of construction jobs, providing additional income for participating landowners and allowing farmland to regenerate through permanent vegetation planted beneath the solar arrays.
Calls to Drew Vielbig, director of development at Ranger Power, and Ella Hackett, assistant development manager at Ranger Power, were not returned.
Planning commission recommends denial
On July 27, the Wexford Joint Planning Commission voted 8-0 to recommend denying a proposed zoning ordinance amendment that would have allowed utility uses, including large-scale solar facilities, in Ag/Forest Production districts.
Commission members said the proposed amendment was too broad because it would permit a wider range of utility uses beyond solar energy projects.
More than 20 people spoke during a public hearing before the vote, with most opposing the amendment. Many said they support renewable energy but questioned placing a utility-scale solar development on productive farmland and urged local officials to preserve agricultural land while encouraging renewable energy in other locations.
The recommendation now moves to the participating township boards, which have 60 days to decide whether to approve or reject the amendment.
The Wexford Township Board is scheduled to meet Wednesday and the members are scheduled to discuss the planning commission’s recommendation. It also is possible the board could take action for or against that recommendation.
State law leaves uncertainty
Despite the planning commission’s recommendation, the future of the project remains uncertain because of Michigan’s renewable energy siting law.
Attorney Catherine Kaufman, who addressed the commission during the July 27 meeting, explained that under Michigan’s Public Act 233, developers of renewable energy projects of 50 megawatts or larger may seek approval directly from the Michigan Public Service Commission if a local government does not have a compatible renewable energy ordinance.
Because the proposed Shipyard Solar project is expected to produce approximately 300 megawatts, it could qualify for that process.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Robert Hall also said after the meeting that it is his understanding the developer would not necessarily have to wait for township boards to complete their review before applying to the state.
Farmer says concerns extend beyond aesthetics
Among those speaking against the proposal is James Cade, a lifelong area resident and hobby farmer who has worked in agriculture since his late teens and has invested in farmland and forest management throughout the community.
Cade, 51, said his opposition is not rooted in opposition to renewable energy itself but in where the project is proposed.
“If all this property next year was vacant and nobody wanted to farm it, that’s a little bit different scenario,” Cade said. “But there are a lot of young guys around here wanting to farm and wanting to expand.”
He pointed to neighboring farms that have been operated by the same families for generations and said productive farmland should remain available for agriculture whenever possible.
Cade also said local farmers have spent years investing in irrigation systems and other improvements that have significantly increased crop yields.
“When you put more water on the ground, more things grow,” he said. “Why can’t we utilize solar panels somewhere else and not take valuable farmland that’s currently producing food?”
He said many residents also may not realize how interconnected area agriculture is, noting much of the corn grown near the proposed project supplies dairy farms in the McBain area and ultimately contributes to milk, cheese and other food products.
Cade said one thing that stood out during the July public hearing was that opponents did not all make the same argument.
Instead, he said residents cited a wide range of concerns, including farmland preservation, wildlife, groundwater, local zoning authority and questions surrounding the long-term decommissioning of solar facilities.
“I was very impressed with how people said things and why,” Cade said. “Everybody had a different reason. It wasn’t just, ‘We don’t want solar panels.’”
He believes that variety of testimony helped planning commissioners better understand the community’s concerns.
The debate also has reinforced the importance of residents paying attention to local government, Cade said.
He said turnout at the July planning commission meeting demonstrated how much influence citizens can have when they participate.
“I think it proves 100% that people need to be involved,” Cade said. “Your voices are being heard.”
Although encouraged by the planning commission’s recommendation, Cade said he plans to continue following the issue as it moves to local township boards and potentially the state.
He said he hopes officials continue looking for what he describes as a “happy medium” that expands renewable energy without removing productive farmland from agricultural use.
“I think there are other options out there,” Cade said. “Solar power may have its place, but where is the right place to put it?”
rcharmoli@cadillacnews.com
Staff Writer/Reporter
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