Jay County places one-year moratorium on solar farms after developer and resident testimony

The Jay County Commissioners unanimously adopted Ordinance 2025-07, imposing a one-year moratorium on solar farm development while the county updates siting, setback and decommissioning requirements.

Ben Vollmer, vice president of development at Sonder Energy, told commissioners the company is studying a project in Penn Township that would involve leases covering about 644 acres. He said the project could yield millions of dollars in tax and economic development payments and create hundreds of construction jobs, and warned a moratorium could lead the company to pursue projects in other counties.

Several landowners and residents, including Julie Forcum and Shane Houck, urged the board not to jeopardize projects already in study phases. Others, including Deb Grider, supported a temporary pause to protect neighbors and allow the county to strengthen protections. Commissioner Duane Monroe said he wants setbacks well above the local standard — he referenced 25 feet in the current ordinance and said a 200-foot setback would be preferable; he also suggested planting evergreens to screen adjacent properties.

John Hemmelgarn, director of Building & Planning, recommended reviewing decommissioning agreements to ensure companies cannot default and leave removal obligations to the county or property owners. The commissioners moved to approve the moratorium and requested the plan commission begin work on ordinance amendments, including setbacks and decommissioning terms.

The motion to approve Ordinance 2025-07 was made by Commissioner Duane Monroe, seconded by Commissioner Doug Horn, and passed by unanimous vote.