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Drainage, road agreements and property-value questions highlighted during DeWitt County solar hearing
Summary
Board members pressed the applicant on contact with drainage districts, road-use agreements with Nixon Township and DeWitt County, and potential impacts to property values; the applicant cited a contact with Dave Newberg, an existing road agreement and studies showing no property-value decline.
During the Aug. 20 hearing, board members pressed Swift Current representatives on local infrastructure and economic impacts.
Board member Werts asked whether the applicants had contacted drainage districts; applicants said they had been in contact with Dave Newberg and would meet with him. Ferguson confirmed that road agreements are in place with Nixon Township and the DeWitt County Highway Department, according to the applicants. On property values, Swift Current's David Loomis said studies show no evidence that nearby solar projects decrease property values, and the company noted a Good Neighbor Agreement fund to assist owners who cannot obtain full appraised value on sale.
Ferguson also asked whether wind damage to a recently destroyed Maroa solar project indicated broader construction or design issues; applicants declined to comment on the unrelated project but described their panels' rated wind resistance at a low of 130 mph to as high as 170 mph, depending on model. Board members requested follow-up and coordination with drainage and road officials before final implementation.
