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Advisory board discusses solar-farm guidance; no ordinance action taken
Summary
Scott County Advisory Board briefly discussed solar farms, reviewed a Purdue summary of other counties' approaches and agreed to consider guidance or broader comprehensive-plan direction at a future meeting; no action or ordinance change was taken.
Board members raised solar farms and alternative-energy siting as a topic near the end of the Aug. 13 meeting and reviewed a one-page summary from Purdue University that outlined how other counties classify and regulate solar installations.
Speakers noted variations among counties: some treat utility-scale solar as a special-use agricultural exception, others as a commercial/industrial use; counties set different screening, setbacks, ground-cover and decommissioning standards. One member said some counties require tree buffers and minimum setbacks from nonparticipating residences.
The board did not take any legislative action on solar at the meeting. Members asked staff to gather model ordinances and examples (including the Purdue summary) and to schedule a discussion or workshop at a future meeting, with September offered as a possible timing for further consideration.
Board members said they want guidance that balances property ownerswho may seek to lease or sell ground for solar with neighborswho may be concerned about proximity, glare, buffering and reclamation when arrays reach the end of their useful life.
No deadlines or funding items were established; board members said commissioners and the public may raise additional suggestions during the formal review process.
