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Commissioners continue solar moratorium review; citizen advisory committee delivers draft ordinance changes
Summary
Following a six-month moratorium, commissioners received a draft amendment from a citizen advisory committee that tightens setbacks and adds a property-value guarantee; the board described next steps for Planning Commission review and public hearings and discussed state House Bill 1381.
Delaware County commissioners on Jan. 6 received a draft set of amendments to the county’s solar ordinance from a citizen advisory committee and outlined the process to consider the changes while the six-month moratorium remains in effect.
A county commissioner summarized the draft as generally returning to the original ordinance’s intent, tightening some setback requirements and adding a property-value guarantee. The advisory committee’s document will be considered by county staff and, if the commissioners direct it, will be referred to the Metropolitan Planning Commission for public hearings and a recommendation back to the commissioners.
Commissioners noted two months remain under the moratorium and described the process: the board may refer the draft to the Planning Commission, which will hold public hearings and issue a recommendation. Several planning and outreach events hosted by National Grid Renewables in the Wharton area were noted; commissioners said they had attended public and official events and had heard a range of public views pro and con.
Separately, commissioners discussed Indiana House Bill 1381, saying the bill would limit local siting authority if adopted and urging colleagues to review the proposal. One commissioner recommended the county consider opposing House Bill 1381 to preserve local control over siting and setbacks. No formal action on the ordinance amendments or on the state bill was taken at the Jan. 6 meeting.
