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Applicant withdraws Columbia County solar‑farm rezoning application without prejudice after community pushback
Summary
CTEK Solar withdrew a rezoning application for a proposed solar farm in Columbia County. The withdrawal was granted without prejudice; the owner and developer said they will revise the proposal after community concerns about setbacks, visual impacts and panel damage risks.
The Columbia County Board of Commissioners voted to allow withdrawal without prejudice of a pending application to rezone a PUD for a proposed solar farm, after public comment raised visibility, safety and environmental concerns.
The applicant’s representative asked to withdraw the application and said the team would address community questions before re‑filing. “We would just like a little bit more time to basically re‑get our application back together and try to address those concerns,” the applicant’s representative told the commission during the hearing.
Why it matters: the requested rezoning would have converted a previously approved planned-unit development to an S‑1 (special) zoning designation to accommodate a commercial-scale solar installation. Neighbors and other speakers raised concerns about setbacks, visual impacts and the risk of panel damage during hail or storm events, including potential contamination from panel materials when panels break.
Public testimony and concerns: owner D. B. Sharma spoke in support of pursuing a solar project and said the developers intended to present scientific data and address neighbors’ questions in a revised application. Opponents, including Brenda Heidman, cited an example of a hailstorm‑damaged 5.2‑megawatt solar installation in Nebraska and warned about hazardous materials and recycling costs if panels break or are removed over time. Heidman listed multiple substances used in panel manufacture and urged the county not to rezone the land.
Formal action: a commissioner moved to allow withdrawal without prejudice for the rezoning request affecting Tax Map parcels 2140 and 2141. The board approved the withdrawal by voice vote; the “without prejudice” ruling lets the applicant reapply in the future.
Next steps: the applicant said it will gather additional data, address community questions and may return with a revised application. Commissioners did not set conditions on the withdrawal, and no county action to rezone or advance an alternative plan was recorded at the meeting.
Ending: The withdrawal preserves the applicant’s option to resubmit after further study and community outreach; neighbors asked for clearer information and more time to evaluate technical materials if the project is reconsidered.
