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Marshall County adopts battery storage rules, bans data centers and moves to curb large farm-scale solar
Summary
The Marshall County Board of Commissioners on April 20 adopted new zoning rules for battery energy storage systems, approved a countywide ban on large data centers and voted to restrict farm-scale solar projects to five acres of panel area per parcel (first reading). The actions follow public concern from nearby farmers about proposed energy facilities.
Marshall County commissioners on April 20 adopted Ordinance 2026-7 to regulate battery energy storage systems and voted to ban large-scale data centers while advancing restrictions on farm-scale solar.
The battery energy storage ordinance, presented by planning staff Nicholas, raised the residential setback from 1,000 feet to 1,320 feet and included several protective standards for permitting and siting. "We did a lot of research on the battery storage," Nicholas said, adding the rules are intended to allow cautious, limited development while protecting residents. Commissioner motioned to pass Ordinance 2026-7 on first reading; commissioners then suspended the rules and adopted it on second and third reading the same day.
The board also approved Ordinance 2026-11 to remove language that had allowed larger data-center development and enacted an immediate ban on large-scale data centers in Marshall County. Planning staff told the board the moratorium that had been in place expires in July, and commissioners concluded that existing state and market pressures make a permanent local ban appropriate pending more exhaustive study. The ordinance passed first reading and was adopted on second and third readings after a motion to suspend the rules.
On solar policy, planning staff presented Ordinance 2026-10, which would remove language permitting farm-scale solar at large sizes and instead cap panel area at five acres per parcel. Commissioners approved the ordinance on first reading and deferred second and third readings to a later meeting.
Public commenters had urged caution. Kim Mishler, a farmer who said her family has farmed local land since 1860, told commissioners that large energy projects “go against many parts of Marshall County’s comprehensive plan” and asked the board to halt any potential natural-gas plant proposals near agricultural properties. Valina Klaus, another local farm owner, said she and neighbors had received outreach from developers and asked for clear guidelines if projects move forward.
Supporters of energy development also spoke. Scott Cowens, a business representative for the Carpenter trade union, said that “anything you can do to help with development is going to directly affect consumers of energy in this area” and urged commissioners to consider energy projects among local economic-development priorities.
What happens next: the battery ordinance is in effect after adoption; the data center ban takes effect as adopted. The farm-scale solar ordinance will return for second and third readings at a future meeting before it becomes final.
