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Knox County creates energy advisory committee, refers solar ordinance to Area Plan amid resident concerns
Summary
The Knox County Board of Commissioners voted April 7 to create an Energy Land Use Advisory Committee, hire outside counsel for solar matters, and refer amendments to the county’s solar standards to the Area Plan Commission after residents urged larger setbacks and other protections.
Knox County commissioners voted April 7 to establish an Energy Land Use Advisory Committee and to send proposed changes to the county’s solar energy ordinance to the Area Plan Commission for review.
Counsel Drew Porter presented Resolution 2026-3, which creates a 12‑member advisory panel that will include a commissioner as president, county and planning officials, the fire chief, the sheriff, an economic development representative, a Soil & Water Conservation District designee and one public member. The board approved the resolution 3-0.
Porter also recommended retaining the law firm Barnes & Thornburg to advise the county on zoning and legal issues related to possible solar development; that engagement was approved 3-0. Commissioners said the hiring is intended to ensure ordinance language and permitting procedures align with state law.
The ordinance discussion focused on proposed edits to Ordinance 2020-2 (now cited as Ordinance 2026-3). Key provisions presented by counsel include a definition of “major thoroughfares,” a required minimum 300-foot setback from the foundation of any existing residence to solar-energy-system structures, and screening rules that combine opaque fencing with vegetative plantings approved by the Knox County Soil & Water Conservation District. The screening mixture must reach at least 80% opacity year-round from the date of substantial completion, Porter said.
Commissioner T.J. Brink described the board’s approach as moving a “bare-bones” version forward and returning later to add details such as road-use agreements, battery-storage language, decommissioning requirements and first-responder training. Commissioner Kellie Streeter requested that additional safeguards be included in later readings—she specifically named road-use agreements, hazardous-panel language referencing EPA protocols and U.S.-made components, protections for Hoosier homesteads, community benefits, wildlife and water protections including well-head studies and environmental assessments.
The board voted 2-1 to refer Ordinance 2026-3 to the Area Plan Commission; Brink and Tim Ellerman voted to refer, and Streeter opposed the referral, saying more commissioner recommendations should be added first. The board unanimously appointed Commissioner T.J. Brink to the Land Use Committee to preside over advisory committee organization.
A motion by Commissioner Tim Ellerman to impose a moratorium on utility-scale battery energy storage systems failed after other commissioners said it was unnecessary or premature.
Public comment at the meeting included repeated calls for larger setbacks and stronger protections. Robert Merydith urged a “solar setback to 750 ft”; several other speakers asked for setbacks of 800 ft or 1,000 ft, warned of property-value declines and raised concerns about noise, lighting and battery storage safety. Matt Pahmeier asked whether solar projects require Area Plan approval and whether tax abatements would be available; several commenters asked for greater transparency in permitting and enforcement.
The next step is review by the Area Plan Commission; commissioners said they expect to return with more detailed ordinance language and recommended protections after that review.
