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Residents point to delayed records and late appeals in Blackford Solar permitting dispute
Summary
Commenters cited a multi‑year permitting and extension timeline for Blackford Solar as evidence that a strict 30‑day administrative appeal deadline could strip affected parties of meaningful opportunity to appeal; the board cited the example during June 19 discussion.
During discussion of proposed appeal-time changes to the county zoning code, residents and board members referenced past appeals involving Blackford Solar and a contested extension that prompted the attorney's recommendation to add a 30‑day deadline.
Public commenter Deb described the sequence: the BCA granted a special exception through Dec. 31, 2024, an administrator later granted an extension in September 2024, and affected parties filed appeals months afterward. "That extension was given after the permit had expired ... and that's why there was an appeal filed originally," Deb said, explaining that documentation delays prevented earlier filing in one case.
Speakers warned that long FOIA delays and scattered records can make it infeasible for residents to learn about administrator actions within a short statutory window and said courts may be the only recourse if appeals are barred on timing grounds. The board requested the attorney’s supporting minutes and the precise state code citation before moving forward.
