Commissioners approve new solar energy ordinance
The Herald Bulletin|Ken de la Bastide|Dec 5, 2023
Since 2021 the county has had in place a moratorium preventing any new solar energy facilities to be considered until a new ordinance was adopted. The moratorium expires with the adoption of the new ordinance. The Madison County Plan Commission last month approved the new proposed solar ordinance with a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners.
Since 2021 the county has had in place a moratorium preventing any new solar energy facilities to be considered until a new ordinance was adopted. The moratorium expires with the adoption of the new ordinance. The Madison County Plan Commission last month approved the new proposed solar ordinance with a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners.
ANDERSON — The Madison County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the new solar ordinance that replaces one adopted in 2017.
Since 2021 the county has had in place a moratorium preventing any new solar energy facilities to be considered until a new ordinance was adopted. The moratorium expires with the adoption of the new ordinance.
The Madison County Plan Commission last month approved the new proposed solar ordinance with a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners.
John Richwine, president of the Madison County Board of County Commissioners, said an amendment could be proposed next year to change a 3-mile buffer zone from any waterways in the county.
He said that requirement could be reduced.
Any …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]ANDERSON — The Madison County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the new solar ordinance that replaces one adopted in 2017.
Since 2021 the county has had in place a moratorium preventing any new solar energy facilities to be considered until a new ordinance was adopted. The moratorium expires with the adoption of the new ordinance.
The Madison County Plan Commission last month approved the new proposed solar ordinance with a favorable recommendation to the county commissioners.
John Richwine, president of the Madison County Board of County Commissioners, said an amendment could be proposed next year to change a 3-mile buffer zone from any waterways in the county.
He said that requirement could be reduced.
Any amendment would require the Plan Commission to conduct a public hearing before making a recommendation to the commissioners.
Since Madison County approved the proposed Lone Oak solar facility in 2019, county officials have been hoping to adopt a new solar energy ordinance.
The Lone Oak solar facility was approved in 2019 and the county has had a moratorium in place preventing large scale facilities in the county until a new solar ordinance is adopted.
The draft prepared by Planning Director Larry Strange limits where a large scale commercial operation can locate with a special use and requires setbacks from adjacent non-participating property owners ranging from 400 to 450 feet.
Strange said a medium sized commercial facility can range from six to 75 acres and a large-scale facility can range from 76 to 400 acres.
The ordinance states a solar energy facility can’t exceed 400 acres and there is a three-mile neutral zone requirement between solar developments.
Strange said a development for a large facility will require a rezoning to a designation as a high impact zoning district, of which none are currently located in Madison County.
He said the rezoning has to be approved by the Plan Commission and Commissioners and a special use has to be approved by the Madison County Board of Zoning Appeals.
It includes a residential property value guarantee clause for single-family residences within three miles covering the start of construction.
The ordinance also includes a provision that no more than 10% of the prime farm ground in the project area can be used for solar energy facilities.