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Tift County approves special exception for 30.3-acre solar array on Oakridge Church Road
Summary
The Tift County Board of Commissioners approved a special exception allowing 30.3 acres of a 55.52-acre property at 435 Oakridge Church Rd to be developed as a solar farm after the Planning Commission recommended approval and the applicant provided required documentation including a decommissioning plan and FAA letter.
The Tift County Board of Commissioners on March 11 voted to approve TC-ZA-24-03, a special exception to permit a 30.3-acre solar farm on a 55.52-acre tract at 435 Oakridge Church Road.
Community Development Director Chris Davis told the board the property is zoned WLI (Wholesale Light Industrial) and that the applicant submitted the documentation required by the county's solar farm ordinance, including a decommissioning plan, a performance bond and a letter from the Federal Aviation Administration. The county's Planning Commission met Feb. 8 and recommended approval.
Agent Nick Stein spoke at the public hearing in support of the application. County Attorney Anthony Rowell asked whether any commissioner had an interest in the property; the record shows none were disclosed. Commissioner Melissa Hughes made the motion to approve the special exception; Commissioner Donnie Hester seconded and the motion carried (recorded as 6-0).
The approval permits solar development on the specified portion of the parcel under the special-exception standards of the county's land-use rules. The board record notes required documentation is on file; any conditions tied to the special-exception approval would be reflected in the final permitting and engineering submittals.
Next steps: The applicant will pursue permitting and site work consistent with zoning and any conditions set by staff and the board. The Planning Commission's recommendation and the submitted decommissioning and FAA materials remain part of the county record.
