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Commissioners approve farmland-preservation application amid questions over solar on agricultural land and tax credits
Summary
Monroe County approved an application under the county's farmland and open-space preservation review (Part 361), and commissioners discussed how solar development on agricultural land interacts with state tax-credit programs and local controls.
The Monroe County Board of Commissioners on Aug. 28 approved a county planner's recommendation for an application to the Farmland and Open Space Preservation program (Part 361 of the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act) for property in Ida Township, and discussed how state policy and tax incentives affect solar projects on farmland.
Commissioners heard a county planner explain that land enrolled in the Part 361 preservation program must be used agriculturally to retain associated tax credits; if a landowner installs solar panels they may still place solar on farmland but would forfeit the program's tax-credit benefits. Commissioners and members of the public debated whether state-level actions or executive orders have altered that outcome.
Nut graf: The board approved the county planner's recommendation for a specific Ida Township application by roll call. Commissioners and members of the public raised concerns about a planned Detroit Edison solar project on North Custer Road and whether township-level processes permit broader participation from residents across townships.
Several speakers clarified that while state energy policy and certain executive actions allow solar on agricultural land, the particular county preservation tax credits under Part 361 are available only when the land remains in agricultural use. County staff cautioned that if a landowner pursues solar they would lose the farmland program tax credits; if a project proceeds through state-level siting processes, local restrictions may be limited.
Members of the public expressed concern that township meetings can attract speakers from neighboring townships and out-of-county participants; one public speaker, Mark Farris, criticized allowing township-level decision-making on energy projects and repeated objections to Detroit Edison's tax agreements.
Ending: The county approved the Part 361 review recommendation and staff said they would forward the application through the program process; commissioners recorded a unanimous motion to carry the recommendation forward.
