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by Jenilee Borek, WKRC
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ind. (WKRC) – Dearborn County officials are weighing how big is too big when it comes to solar farms, as the county works to rewrite its zoning rules for solar projects of all sizes.
The Dearborn County Plan Commission reviewed a new zoning draft focused specifically on solar projects during a meeting held on Monday.
The discussion comes as many rural communities revisit their zoning ordinances and as Dearborn County considers how to regulate large-scale developments that can require significant amounts of land.
In February, county commissioners passed a one-year moratorium to halt commercial solar farms and data centers from coming into the county. The moratorium was intended to give the county time to update its zoning code.
A major point of debate at Monday’s meeting was the maximum size the county should allow for solar farms. A group identifying as the Concerned Dearborn County Citizens submitted an alternative ordinance proposal before the meeting, saying it is intended to protect neighboring property owners and the county’s rural character.
The citizens’ proposal suggests solar farms be no larger than 500 acres. The county’s draft ordinance set a maximum of 1,200 acres.
“I just look; that’s two square miles. That’s a, that’s an airport,” said Eric Lang, a Dearborn County Plan Commission member. “We spent the better part of a year or two years ago changing our ag and ag homestead to limit subdivisions on prime farm grounds. And we’re sitting here now talking about putting solar on that same area that we just said. No subdivisions."
Lang also noted that some farmers are struggling because of economic factors, and he said he sees solar as an opportunity to help farmers survive tough times by putting solar panels on part of their land.
If the plan commission does not vote on Monday, another special plan commission meeting is scheduled for Nov. 12, and a vote could happen then.
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