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Tift County commissioners approve solar farm special exception with alternate plan
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Summary
The Tift County Board approved a special exception for a 26.5-acre solar farm at 4192 GA Hwy 125 N after the applicant submitted an alternate site plan adding road buffering and reducing road visibility; the vote was recorded 5–1 with Commissioner Fred "Buck" Rigdon opposed.
The Tift County Board of Commissioners on March 13 approved a special exception allowing a 26.5-acre solar farm at 4192 GA Highway 125 North, after the applicant submitted an alternate site plan that adds buffer landscaping and makes the array not visible from the road.
Community Development Services Director Chris Davis told the board the project must meet the county's newly adopted solar farm ordinance and noted the Planning Commission had recommended approval 4–1 at its Jan. 12 meeting. The applicant later provided an alternate plan that, according to staff, goes beyond ordinance requirements by increasing buffering near the road and the nearby subdivision.
County Attorney Anthony Rowell asked commissioners to disclose any conflicts of interest; the record shows none. Commissioner Stan Stalnaker moved to approve TC-ZA-23-01 with the alternate site plan; Commissioner Paul Webb seconded. The motion carried, recorded as 5–1, with Commissioner Fred "Buck" Rigdon voting in opposition.
Several members of the public spoke during the meeting's public comment period. Dustin Griffin of 4165 Highway 125 spoke against the application and provided documentation to the board, while Nick Stein of Atlanta and the applicant's agent spoke in favor. Tommy Hasty of 20 Long Pine Road also expressed opposition.
The board's approval applies the special-exception standards in the Tift County solar ordinance; staff indicated the additional buffering was intended to reduce visual impacts from the roadway. The action permits the applicant to proceed with site work subject to compliance with the ordinance and any conditions spelled out in the county's permit process.
Records show the motion was made and seconded on the record; the board did not list additional conditions beyond compliance with the alternate plan as presented.