Boone County OKs special-use permit for US Route 20 solar project after lengthy debate over future road funding

The Boone County Board approved an ordinance granting a special-use permit for a solar energy development on the south side of U.S. Route 20 after extended public hearings and intermembers debate about road access and mitigation funding.

Chairman Carl Johnson called for a vote after hours of testimony and amendments; the ordinance passed on a roll call vote with a majority in favor and a lone recorded “no” from Brian Schneider.

The ordinance authorizes a solar facility covering roughly 15 acres of site area on an approximately 37-acre parcel, with a racking system under 20 feet and some 3,555 solar modules, according to staff presentations.

The board’s central dispute centered on conditions tied to future roadway needs if the land west of the project later develops. County staff and the county engineer argued the county should require the project to help reserve funding for a future public right-of-way that would improve emergency access for nearby subdivisions. Opponents, including the project attorney, said the state statute governing solar special uses limits conditions and that requiring large escrow sums…