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Public commenters urge county leadership to plan for solar development and farmland preservation
Summary
During public comment, a Hager Township planning commissioner urged Berrien County to coordinate municipal ordinances, build a searchable database of local solar ordinances, and develop a countywide strategy to preserve farmland amid rising solar development.
During general public comments at the April 9 meeting, a Hager Township planning commissioner urged the Berrien County Board of Commissioners to take a leadership role in preserving farmland and coordinating municipal responses to proposed solar projects.
Peter Calovis (introduced at the microphone as a Hager Township planner and member of the local planning commission) told commissioners there is a pressing need for county-level strategy, sample ordinances and a searchable database of local solar ordinances to help townships and municipalities coordinate responses to utility-scale solar proposals. Calovis specifically cited “PA 2 30 3” in his remarks and asked commissioners which committee he should approach to bring detailed proposals.
Other members of the public offered brief remarks: Sharon Brown said she and others plan to remain engaged in county efforts and asked where they could participate; Walter Hager made brief remarks and asked questions about unrelated local items. The public-comment segment did not result in formal board direction in the transcript; Calovis requested guidance on an appropriate committee to address the issue, but no committee referral is recorded in the meeting remarks provided.
