Fiscal Court hears more solar farm ordinance discussion

Christian Fiscal Court will have a special-called meeting next week to consider second-reading of an ordinance regulating solar panel farms, but that didn’t stop some discussion of the matter during the regular meeting Tuesday morning.

Final reading of the ordinance couldn’t be held Tuesday because requirements about it being published in the newspaper couldn’t be met after first reading was held during a special-called meeting November 10.

Megan Stahl with Oriden—the company wanting to develop a large solar farm project in the Dogwood area of Christian County—again appealed to magistrates to reduce the 2,000 feet setback requirements from adjoining properties in the ordinance, saying it seems like a ban directed only at solar projects.

Magistrate Phillip Peterson reminded Stahl the proposed ordinance includes provisions for Oriden to forge agreements with the adjoining landowners to reduce those setbacks in certain places in the project’s footprint and encouraged the company to work with those folks.

The special meeting will be 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, November 29.

In other action, court unanimously approved loaning $500,000 from the general fund to the industrial development authority revolving loan fund, with Squire Darrell Gustafson saying the Hopkinsville-Christian County Airport has an application for a loan in place with that entity as they plan to construct an additional 10 tee hangars.

Christian County Animal Shelter Director Irene Grace gave her October report, saying 366 animals were brought in last month and 315 found homes.