Delaware County commissioners scheduled a public hearing on a proposed solar ordinance for Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. in the Justice Center, after resuming debate and briefly removing — then returning — a previously tabled moratorium.
The Planning Commission will hear the ordinance on Aug. 12; doors open at 5:15 p.m. and people who wish to speak must sign up in advance. The chair may reduce individual speaking time from a target of three minutes if the total public‑comment period looks likely to exceed 60 minutes, though no speaker will be given less than one minute. Attorneys who sign up must submit the names of the people they represent and are limited to 30 minutes total. The upper auditorium seating will be closed to keep lower‑level seating at the venue below the permitted occupancy of 499.
Why it matters: Commissioners said the issue has drawn a high volume of public contacts and will affect farmland, brownfields and how the county regulates large-scale “utility” solar versus rooftop systems.
Commissioner Brand moved to remove the solar moratorium from the table to provide an update; the motion passed on roll call. Later in the meeting the commissioners voted to put the solar moratorium back on the table, also by roll call. No final ordinance vote was taken; the item will continue through the Planning Commission process and return to the commissioners for action.
Commissioners and staff said Holocene Clean Energy has expressed interest in redeveloping former industrial/brownfield sites in the county and has submitted letters of interest to at least two property owners. Commissioner Brand reported outreach from neighboring counties and said he has connected Holocene with one neighboring commissioner. Brand also told the board he has received roughly two dozen largely identical emails and letters — some verbatim copies — from members of the public expressing support for solar and that one used vulgar language that he said he ignored.
Public commenters addressed both utility‑scale and rooftop solar. Eileen Swackhammer of the Planning Commission announced the Aug. 12 special meeting and explained the sign-up and speaking procedures, saying, “We are gonna have people sign up, pro‑solar [and] against solar,” and that the chair may shorten individual times if necessary. Several residents asked the commissioners to either limit large ground‑mounted projects or to preserve landowner choice. Resident Cheryl Swingley asked whether county authority extends to brownfields inside city limits and said “utility solar goes on farmland and on brownfields.” Resident Sue Arrington, who has rooftop panels, cited state statute IC 36‑7‑2‑8 and cautioned the county against adopting rules that might “unreasonably restrict the use of solar energy systems.” Resident Mike Catron urged the board to consider the county’s agricultural economy and suggested a per‑megawatt payment proposal the county has discussed could generate revenue for local government.
Discussion vs. decisions: Commissioners discussed outreach, differing local conditions, and how neighboring counties have handled projects; they repeatedly emphasized the Planning Commission review and the upcoming Aug. 12 hearing. Formal action at the meeting consisted of procedural motions to remove the moratorium from the table and later to return it to the table; no ordinance was adopted.
Next steps: The Planning Commission public comment hearing will be Aug. 12 at 6 p.m. at the Justice Center; commissioners said they expect the Planning Commission to make recommendations that will return to the board for further action.