Solar ordinances are now in effect in Marshall County, but the Marshall County Commissioners stress that a moratorium remains in effect on large solar farms.
Marshall County Plan Director Ty Adley presented the solar ordinances to the commissioners for consideration on additional readings Monday morning. The second and third readings were approved with a unanimous vote. There were no changes from the previous first reading, other than gathering members of a task force to learn more about the effects of large, commercial solar farms. Adley said those members include Ed Allen, Commissioner Stan Klotz, Adam Thada, Chris Kline, Don Heckford, and a Marshall County Council member who will be selected at next week’s meeting.
It is the understanding of the commissioners that the ordinances may be amended at any time, following any recommendations brought forth by the task force. They thought it best that they at least have stricter guidelines in place now. The first meeting of the task force is anticipated at the end of the month.
In addition, County Attorney Jim Clevenger noted that he reached out to Barnes and Thornburg officials to discuss additional regulations for 10-acre, or larger, solar energy farms.
Adley said the ordinance now has 20 conditions that a large solar farm project must follow before it is initiated in Marshall County. Those conditions include setback height, lot coverage and drainage, buffers, drainage board review, Technical Review Committee review, flood plain considerations, security, lighting, decommissioning, traffic management plans, and a detailed process in terms of bonding.
As for the solar fee ordinance, a developer would pay per acre for a permit. All measurements are measured in panel square feet. A micro solar project permit would be $40, a small project would be $80, a medium project would be $150, a large project would be $250, a solar energy farm would be $25 a panel acre.
