Public commenter urges broader review and more public engagement on large-scale solar proposals

A member of the public told the Lexington Fayette Urban County Council that proposed large-scale solar policy changes need broader review and more time for public input.

Brittney Rothmeier told the council she appreciated Council Member Sheehan's decision to delay an early report but said she was concerned the four-council-member solar work group met in private over six months and did not provide an opportunity for public engagement. Rothmeier said the Rural Land Management Board and the Environmental Commission were not included initially and that asking those bodies and the public to "weigh in" through a single hearing and brief three-minute public comments is not "robust public or stakeholder engagement." She said the work group's meetings "were not open to the public" and that meeting summaries did not clearly identify presenters.

Rothmeier asked the council to consider detailed questions before the ZODA process advances, including how large-scale solar in agricultural areas aligns with the rural land management plan and the comprehensive plan, how the community directly benefits, how the projects affect the city's net-zero goals and calculations, and what long-term financial benefits (jobs and tax revenue) the projects would provide. She requested that affected boards and residents be given adequate time to review and discuss the proposals rather than a single brief public hearing.

Council allowed Rothmeier an additional 30 seconds to finish her remarks; no formal response or policy decision was made during the meeting.