Commissioners send revised solar ordinance to planning commission after weeks of debate

Delaware County commissioners on April 21 approved sending a set of revised solar‑farm and battery energy storage amendments to the county Planning Commission for a public hearing and further review.

The amendments — negotiated between commissioners and county staff over multiple meetings — adjust setbacks, a property‑value guarantee, and a cap on use of prime farmland. Commissioners said the changes try to balance property‑owner concerns with developers’ ability to build commercially viable projects. Commissioner Bridget Brand said meetings with four prospective developers showed “the current ordinance setbacks of 500 feet do not preclude them from building these projects,” but that other changes could ease local tensions.

Why it matters: The draft ordinance governs where utility‑scale solar arrays and battery systems can be sited in Delaware County and what conditions developers must meet. Supporters say clarified rules will enable predictable permitting and local jobs; opponents say the changes still risk lowering nearby homeowners’ and farmers’ property values and were drafted without enough transparent public process.

What the…