County Imposes 60-Day Moratorium On Solar FarmsA resolution imposing a 60-day moratorium on commercial solar energy system farms (CSESF) within unincorporated areas in Kosciusko County was approved by the commissioners Tuesday morning.
In presenting the resolution, Assistant Planner Matt Sandy reminded the commissioners it was written up at their request.
“This is a resolution looking at a temporary moratorium on commercial solar farms. And I think you remember us talking through this, kind of looking at ordinance changes that we had done and taking some time to maybe re-evaluate what we’ve done, giving us a 60-day window (to) look and see are we still going the right path the community wants us to,” Sandy said.
He said he and county attorney Chad Miner talked and looked over the resolution Monday, with only a few clarifications made to it.
The commissioners in October approved a pair of ordinance amendments placing greater restrictions on the mass production of wind and solar power.
Commissioner Cary Groninger said Tuesday he appreciated Sandy getting the resolution together for them.
“The main thing I guess I just wanted to make clear to the public is that this is only for commercial solar farms. We’re not talking about normal houses and that stuff. We just need to make sure our current ordinances meet what we think is best for our county and our area,” Groninger said.
“So just a moratorium for 60 days and pretty much during that time if there’s permits that would be filed during that time, if we would change the ordinance, those would be required to comply with the new ordinance rules, correct?” he asked.
Sandy replied, “Correct, because what I foresee us doing is talking with you guys, our plan commission. If there are revisions that need to be made, bring those back to you within that window and that’s what would be applied to at that point.”
Commissioner Bob Conley made the motion to approve the resolution as presented by the area plan commission, and Groninger seconded it. It was approved. Commissioner Brad Jackson was not present.
After the meeting, county attorney emphasized it was only a temporary moratorium so the county can look at what it’s doing.
Part of the ordinance states that the county “has become aware of an increase of (CSESFs) in the region, which is a more recent and emerging land use. It is clear that applications for these (CSESFs) may be proliferating, and that applications for the construction and location of (CSESFs) may be imminent.”
It also states the integration of these CSESFs within the county’s existing land uses “requires suitable regulations and controls for the protection for the health, safety and welfare of all of the county’s residents.”
Before the moratorium expires, the county may – by resolution – extend it for up to an additional 60 days. If an extension is adopted, the county “will publish notice of the extension.”
