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Boone County Board approves 5 MW Route 20 solar project after tied vote and reconsideration
Summary
After an initial tie and failed vote, Boone County commissioners reconsidered and approved a Sunbest Solar 5 MW special-use permit for a Route 20 array, following staff conditions and added landscaping requested by neighbors.
A divided Boone County Board approved a special-use permit April 16 to allow a 5‑megawatt, ground‑mounted solar array on U.S. Route 20 after an initial tie vote failed and the board reconsidered.
Staff presented the Sunbest Solar application, describing a 5 MW AC, tracker-mounted array set back roughly 760 feet from U.S. Route 20 with 50‑foot side and rear setbacks and a pile‑driven galvanized support system. The planning staff noted required building permits, a road‑use agreement and stormwater controls, and said the zoning board of appeals recommended approval subject to 18 conditions.
Bill French, regional director of project development for Sunbest Solar, told the board, “we think we presented a plan here that meets and exceeds uh your zoning ordinance,” and said the company revised landscaping to address neighbor concerns. Staff read names of several nearby residents who had opposed the project at previous hearings.
On the first roll call the motion to approve resulted in a tie and the measure failed. After a procedural motion allowing a board member to change his vote and a formal motion to reconsider, the board held a second roll call and approved the special‑use permit. The board directed that the project comply with the conditions adopted by the zoning board, including the revised vegetation/screening plan for the north and northwest sides of the array.
Neighbors who had registered concerns were listed in the staff report; the record showed requests for additional buffering along the north side to reduce visual impact. The board’s approval followed an exchange in which members emphasized both compliance with zoning standards and the importance of addressing neighbor screening requests.
The decision was procedural: by approving the special use with conditions the board authorized the planning staff and applicant to move forward to permit steps required by county codes. The applicant and staff stated they will proceed with required stormwater and building permits and any health‑department site plan reviews.
