Christian Fiscal Court approved an ordinance that regulates solar panel farms in the county upon second-reading at a special-called meeting Tuesday morning.
The ordinance establishes the minimum setback distance of 2,000 feet from adjoining property lines in all projects, screening and decommissioning requirements for solar installations in the county. The move restricts any solar company looking to construct a solar farm in the area, but originated due to the company Oriden looking to build in the Dogwood community.
Lawyer Todd Osterloh spoke on Oriden’s behalf, saying he’s not sure Fiscal Court has done all they need to do have done to pass the ordinance legally, but beyond that, the 2,000-foot setbacks are too restrictive. He says the provision option isn’t fleshed out enough, and isn’t clearly defined.
Landowner Pat Morris says he knows people are worried about hurting the land for agriculture purposes, but for folks like him, it provides a way to benefit his children and grandchildren heading into the future.
Heather Cook of Goode Road says her home is one that would be impacted by the project the worst—her property would be surrounded by solar panels if the Oriden plan goes through—and she urged magistrates to pass the ordinance.
Ultimately, magistrates did pass the ordinance on second-reading, with magistrate Mark Wells and Terry Bowman abstaining from the vote.