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Residents ask commissioners to impose moratorium on utility‑scale solar on prime farmland
Summary
Multiple Tippecanoe County residents urged commissioners during public comment to impose a temporary moratorium on utility‑scale solar projects, citing farmland protection, drainage, wildlife, property values and lack of public notice; petitioners said a 2,000‑acre project is being advertised and presented a petition with more than 50 signatures.
A group of Tippecanoe County residents told the Board of Commissioners May 5 they want a temporary moratorium on utility‑scale solar projects proposed for prime farmland, saying county zoning currently allows such projects under special exceptions in agricultural (AA) zones.
Kenny McCleary, a Shelby Township resident and retired environmental health and safety advisor, told commissioners the county’s stated land‑use goal for select agricultural (AA) zoning is to “preserve the highest yielding land in the county for agricultural activities,” and he said the unified zoning ordinance still allows utility‑scale and industrial solar by special exception. “If the commissioners truly support the APC’s land use goals, the need for a moratorium is clear,” McCleary said, urging immediate action.
Several neighbors — including Catherine Soborowski, Victor Gervais, Greg Erisman and Steve Shelby — described housing, drainage, wildlife and economic concerns. Gervais said he and nearby residents learned recently that a large industrial solar project is being discussed across from their subdivision and reported a feeling of helplessness; he and others asked the board to “put the brakes on this thing” while the county reviews ordinances.
Speakers said a utility‑scale project targeting “nearly 2,000 acres” in Shelby Township has been openly advertised on an out‑of‑state company website. One speaker said residents have gathered more than 50 petition signatures calling for a moratorium and have retained an attorney; a copy of that attorney’s letter was provided to commissioners, according to a speaker.
Residents raised technical concerns including drainage over Bender Ditch and impacts to wildlife, particularly raptors and other species that use the existing fields. Farmer‑resident Steve Shelby said solar panels shed water and could change drainage patterns. Another speaker argued that removing prime farmland would reduce local agricultural production and affect related businesses.
Commissioners did not take immediate action during the public comment period. Several residents requested a meeting with commissioners or county staff, and one asked commissioners to visit the proposed site informally so they could see proximity to homes. The record shows residents asked county officials to consider ordinance changes and to meet with community representatives and retained counsel to discuss possible next steps.
Speakers who addressed the issue asked the commissioners to clarify whether the current county zoning code and special‑exception processes permit large industrial solar on AA farmland and to consider a temporary moratorium while the ordinance is updated. The Area Plan Commission and county staff were cited by speakers as having described AA zoning as intended to protect prime farmland, and residents said the ordinance language conflicts with that stated intent.
The commissioners listened and acknowledged receipt of written materials provided by speakers but did not announce a timeline or a specific next step for a moratorium or ordinance amendment at the meeting.
