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Developer says Paris city will hold decommissioning bond for solar project; county asked to note jurisdiction
Summary
PCA Solar representatives told the Edgar County board that the Paris Community Energy Initiative LLC project lies outside Paris city limits but that Paris has exercised zoning jurisdiction and will hold the decommissioning financial assurance; a county resolution to clarify jurisdiction is on the county agenda Wednesday.
Representatives for PCA Solar told the Edgar County study session that a resolution clarifying jurisdiction for a utility‑scale solar project will appear on the county board agenda this week.
"The project is basically it's outside of the city limits of Paris, but right next to it," said Joe Ramio of PCA Solar, adding that the City of Paris exercised zoning jurisdiction and the property was rezoned from R1 to light industrial. Ramio said the company will apply for a building permit through Paris and expects the project’s financing partners to require clear jurisdiction for approvals.
Ben Jacobe, an attorney for the applicant, said the county resolution is "housekeeping" that confirms three points: the city has zoning jurisdiction, the city will issue the building permit and the city will hold the financial assurance for decommissioning. "That's really the city's project," Jacobe said, summarizing the intent of the resolution.
Board members asked questions about decommissioning and bonds. Staff and counsel noted the county had previously signed an agricultural‑impact mitigation agreement that assumed counties would hold bonds for decommissioning; the resolution being proposed allows the city to hold the bond with county concurrence.
No formal county action was taken at the study session; the company’s representatives said they will be available at the Wednesday meeting to answer additional questions.
