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by Jenilee Borek, WKRC
DEARBORN COUNTY, Ohio (WKRC) – The debate over utility-scale solar farms in Dearborn County remained heated as the county’s planning commission again delayed action on proposed zoning rules, with the current moratorium on new projects set to expire in February of next year.
A moratorium put in place earlier this year paused any solar farm projects in Dearborn County while the zoning code could be updated. At a planning commission meeting held tonight, it initially appeared a vote was likely. But after heated conversations, the commission decided to hold off and take another look at the proposed version.
At last month’s meeting, Dearborn County’s plan commission talked for hours while debating changes to a solar zoning draft. On Thursday, commissioners reviewed those changes, with one of the main discussions focused on the maximum size that should be allowed for solar projects.
The draft had set the maximum at 700 acres, but the commission decided to change it to 500 acres. Unlike last month’s meeting, public comment was heard on Thursday, with strong opinions on both sides.
One resident, identified as David, said he is leasing part of his land to Linea Energy for a project that has not yet received county approval but is in the works. He argued the ordinance would effectively block utility-scale solar development.
“It’s a huge investment that is not taken lightly. The companies have to get investors. They have to. So, the bottom line is if you tell a company that you can’t put in any more in 500 acres, no one’s going to invest because you can’t make money with a 500-acre solar farm,” David said.
Michelle Dudley, a member of the Stop Commercial Solar Dearborn County group, said her group has submitted zoning proposals, and she was glad the board did not vote.
“Every single ordinance that planning and zoning director Nicole Daly has put out has given more loopholes and more allowances to solar developers and less protection for citizens. It’s gotten worse every single time,” Dudley said.
The plan commission does not have the final say on the zoning changes. County commissioners will have a chance to vote on the version passed along to them or make changes.
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