Landowners urge Franklin County to lift solar moratorium, citing property-tax relief from proposed Prairie Sunlight Solar Project

During public comment at the March 4 Franklin County commission meeting, resident John McFarland and attorney Trish Voth urged commissioners to consider lifting the countywide moratorium on utility-scale solar to allow the proposed Prairie Sunlight Solar Project on privately offered land.

John McFarland, of 1583 Montana Road in Princeton, said rising property valuations and high tax bills have created pressure for some landowners. He told the board that "a small group of landowners is offering to help by allowing a solar project to go in on their land" and urged commissioners to "consider lifting the moratorium and allowing the property tax relief the project offers."

Attorney Trish Voth, representing 28 landowners who support the project, described vegetative screening options and provided visuals to illustrate what a solar array with screening might look like. Voth framed the proposal as private landowners seeking an economic option to address tax burdens rather than a county-led development.

The transcript records these comments as public comment; no motion, formal debate, or vote to lift the moratorium was recorded during the meeting. The commissioners proceeded with the published agenda and approved several consent and action items later in the session.

The transcript does not indicate that commissioners took action on the moratorium at this meeting. Any change to county land-use policy or moratorium status would require a separate agenda item and formal action by the board.