Marshall County Attorney Jim Clevenger told the commissioners Monday morning that a meeting is scheduled next week to discuss zoning amendments for solar energy.
He explained that he plans to meet with Plan Director Ty Adley and Derek Jones to go over regulations for small residential solar projects and also for large commercial solar farms. Clevenger added that he’s met with officials from Barnes and Thornburg for potential options for the county concerning regulations of larger solar energy farms.
“I’m trying to get something going on that. We’re without good regulations now and of course that opens us up to problems down the road,” commented Clevenger.
The commissioners heard complaints from several residents at a meeting in January who expressed overwhelming opposition to large solar farms with potential issues of ground contamination and decommissioning.
During the last Marshall County Plan Commission meeting, Commissioner Stan Klotz recommended a one year moratorium on solar farms 435,601 square feet or greater, which is just over 10 panel acres. The purpose is to address the decommissioning of solar farms in the ordinance.
