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Knox County commissioners weigh setbacks, well testing and committees as they revise solar ordinance
Summary
Commissioners debated setbacks and well‑water testing for proposed solar farms and declined to enact moratoriums; they directed counsel and Area Plan staff to form drafting committees and prepare ordinance language for first reading.
VINCENNES, Ind. — Knox County Commissioners on March 3 discussed revisions to a proposed solar farm ordinance, focusing on setback distances and protections for private water wells as residents urged stronger safeguards during public comment.
Commissioner Timothy Ellerman proposed requiring well‑water testing for heavy metals and recommended a 500‑foot setback between utility‑scale solar projects and certain properties. Commissioner T.J. Brink suggested mitigation measures, including landscaping, and said the draft should incorporate Area Plan input. Commissioner Kellie E. Streeter said she favored a 300‑foot setback and noted the county’s existing 300‑foot setback for coal‑mine operations; she asked for more time for revisions and for county counsel to draft ordinance language.
The commissioners did not adopt any of the proposed moratoriums on energy projects (including data centers, commercial wind, carbon sequestration and utility‑scale battery storage). Instead they directed staff to convene drafting committees composed of the Area Plan director, outside legal counsel with energy expertise, county counsel, commissioners and economic‑development representatives to develop ordinance language and to return draft language for formal consideration, beginning with a first reading once counsel completes draft text.
Public comment at the meeting reinforced concerns raised by commissioners. During the public‑comment period, multiple residents associated with a local group described in the record as "safe solar" urged larger setbacks and protections for drinking water, and asked whether solar installations would be zoned agricultural or industrial. Speakers urged setbacks of at least 300 feet and said they wanted well testing requirements and clearer safety standards; the board’s decision to use committees was presented as the next step to address those concerns.
Next steps: county counsel will draft ordinance language for a first reading and the Area Plan Committee will review proposed text as part of the committee drafting process. No formal ordinance or setback was adopted at the March 3 meeting.
