Public hearing on Decatur County draft comprehensive plan highlights tension over solar and data centers

The Area Plan Commission held a public hearing on the Decatur County draft comprehensive plan and received extensive public comment focused on alternative energy (solar, wind) and large data centers. Staff presenter Haley summarized the project timeline, public engagement (workshops, focus groups, online responses) and key changes after review, saying the draft plan now includes a narrative that "the county does not support development of alternative energy sources on ag land" and that language in the agriculture chapter was revised to say alternative energy is "generally discouraged on agricultural land, but permitted for good cause." Haley said the plan is OCRA/OFRA funded and staff must meet grant timelines unless a grant extension is requested.