The Montgomery County Advisory Plan Commission has once again voted to send Copper Box Solar’s rezoning petition to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners with an unfavorable recommendation.
The 6-2 vote came a week after the commission’s second public hearing on the proposed solar energy project, which drew comments from residents both for and against the project.
In March, Copper Box Solar presented its proposal to rezone about 1,800 acres of agricultural land to an agricultural overlay district to allow construction of a commercial solar energy system. The petition was withdrawn shortly after receiving an unfavorable recommendation from the plan commission.
This time around, company representatives said they made changes after listening to feedback from the community and the public hearing.
The petition seeks to rezone 17 parcels in southern Madison Township and northern Union Township from agricultural to agricultural overlay. If approved, Copper Box Solar intends to develop a commercial solar energy system across approximately 2,620 acres, with up to 825 acres containing solar panels or related equipment.
Copper Box Solar lead project developer Tom Schoder told the commission the company made changes based largely on feedback received during and after the previous public hearing.
“We reduced impacts,” Schoder said, pointing to increased residential setbacks for solar panels, the project substation and construction staging area.
The company also added about two miles of vegetative landscaping near residential areas, which Schoder said goes beyond what is required by the county’s ordinance.
Schoder said the company moved the project substation farther east and increased the distance between nearby homes and solar panels. In some locations, he said, the nearest panels would be at least two football fields from homes, with some setback areas remaining available for farming.
The proposed project also would provide a larger estimated financial benefit to the county than previously projected with previously estimating about $20 million in tax payments over the life of the project. That estimate has now increased to more than $45 million following changes in state law, Schoder said during the public hearing last week.
County Administrator Tom Klein told the commission the county had received 14 written comments supporting the project and 46 opposing it.
Many of the concerns raised during the March public hearing remained during the second hearing, including concerns about farmland, property values, wildlife, drainage and the project’s compatibility with the area.
During the commission’s discussion of the five statutory factors for a rezoning recommendation, members were divided over whether the project was consistent with the county’s comprehensive plan.
Tricia Rose-Herr said the comprehensive plan identifies commercial solar as an undesirable use but also provides a path for solar facilities through the agricultural overlay district. She also pointed to portions of the plan addressing property rights, conservation, infrastructure and economic development as supporting the project.
Other members focused on the plan’s designation of industrial solar as an undesirable land use and its emphasis on preserving agricultural land.
Ultimately the motion for an unfavorable recommendation was made, arguing the project was inconsistent with the comprehensive plan, would substantially change the agricultural and residential character of the area and was not the most desirable use for the property.
The unfavorable recommendation will now go to the Montgomery County Board of Commissioners, which is expected to consider the petition at its second meeting in September. The commissioners will make the final decision on the rezoning petition.
Copper Box Solar representatives said they will not withdraw their petition this time around.
