Edgar County Holds Public Hearing on Draft Commercial Solar Ordinance; No Vote Taken

Edgar County held a public hearing on a proposed ordinance to regulate commercial solar energy facilities, with county legal counsel explaining how the draft implements the states 2023 siting statute and attendees from developer firms, farmers and residents delivering technical and policy comments.

The hearing matters because the state law sets mandatory minimums for setbacks, noise and other requirements but allows unzoned counties such as Edgar County to adopt an ordinance that governs how projects proceed locally. The draft on the floor would establish special use permitting, building permit review, developer financial assurances and required road‑use and decommissioning agreements.

County Attorney (staff) summarized the ordinance and state requirements, saying the state law "essentially mandates counties to adopt certain rules" and that the countys draft "pairs up an ordinance" to permit counties to regulate solar in unzoned jurisdictions. He told the board the statute prescribes setbacks the county must follow: 150 feet from the foundation of…