Board advances Mr. McNatt’s request to subdivide ag parcel and swap acreage around solar array

The County Board of Preservation approved by voice vote a staff‑recommended action to advance a request by property owner Mr. McNatt to subdivide agricultural land and pursue a land swap involving space around a solar array.

Staff told the board Mr. McNatt seeks an agricultural subdivision that will separate a poultry farm from a grain farm and asked to remove roughly 3 acres surrounding an on‑site solar array while adding about 9 acres into the easement area elsewhere on the parcel. Staff said one condition for the land swap is that soils on the replacement land must be equal to or better than the soils on the land being removed.

Mr. McNatt addressed the board about the solar array and the local context for his request, saying past grid rules limited sending power back into the high‑voltage system and describing the site’s existing solar equipment. Portions of his remarks were garbled in the transcript; staff clarified the land‑use and access implications, noting the poultry‑house owner would retain access to equipment.

A board member moved to approve the request on the basis that it would continue to serve agricultural uses; the chair seconded and the board approved by voice vote. Staff said the subdivision will be placed on the October agenda (staff’s estimated timing) and will then proceed through required reviews. The transcript contains no roll‑call or recorded tally for the vote.