Landowners tell Hardy County Commission they support Oldfield Solar; commissioners say planning commission will advise next steps
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Summary
Eight landowning families told the Hardy County Commission they support the Oldfield Solar project as a way to preserve landowner rights and supplement farm income; commissioners said the planning commission is expected to provide a framework, but no formal county decision was taken.
Brent Titus, reading a letter on behalf of eight landowning families, urged the Hardy County Commission to support the Oldfield Solar project as a voluntary partnership that would provide supplemental income to farmers while preserving landowner stewardship.
"This project represents a voluntary partnership that allows us to diversify how we sustain our properties while maintaining ownership and stewardship," Titus said, asking the commission to "support Oldfield Solar and the families who are partnered in the project." The letter said the project would generate local revenue, create jobs during development and maintenance, and help sustain agricultural traditions.
A representative of the Landauer Group introduced Titus and said the landowners come from a mix of long-standing families and newer residents who view the project as an opportunity. The representative told commissioners the group had signed and submitted letters on the landowners' behalf.
Chair (speaker 3) acknowledged the project is "very controversial" and clarified the commission's current role. "What the county commission has done is work within the framework that's been created in Hardy County," the chair said, adding that approving the county's comprehensive plan was itself an action and that the planning commission would next work on more specific implementation guidance.
Landowner representatives asked when the planning commission would return a framework to the full commission. The chair said the planning commission had an item on its agenda that evening and could provide an update, but he did not provide a firm deadline. "I don't think they've set an exact time frame," one commissioner said.
The commission took no formal vote on the project at the meeting. Commissioners thanked the landowners for presenting their views and said they would continue the formal review process through the planning commission and other required steps.
