A pollinator-friendly solar installation at the University of Dayton is similar to what developers say is planned at the proposed Swallowtail Solar Farm in northeast Bartholomew County.
COLUMBUS, Ind. — Regulations that are expected to make Bartholomew County more solar energy friendly are being recommended by the Bartholomew County Plan Commission.
By a vote of 6-1, commission members agreed with a motion from member Arnold Haskell that a solar field, which the commission calls Commercial Solar Energy Systems (CSES), should be set back 200-feet from residential lots of 5 acres or less. Earlier drafts established it at 500 feet.
Property owner Mark Niemoeller said there was no factual basis for a 500-foot setback, adding the state is trying to encourage the use of solar power statewide as one of many forms of energy.
Commission members also agreed on a provision updated from last month’s meeting that no structures, equipment, storage areas, vehicle service drives or fence be allowed within 250 feet of several forms of residential developments. That was lowered from an initially suggested setback of 500 feet.
It also calls for a 500 foot setback for schools,day-care centers, hospitals, retirement centers and other community facilities until a waiver is obtained between the two parties.
Another revision states that no CSES electrical substation will be allowed within 500 feet of residential properties, which had been earlier established at 750 feet.
Following a four-hour meeting Wednesday attended by about 50 people at Columbus City Hall, the plan commission voted to recommend proposed amendments that will be sent to the Bartholomew County commissioners for final approval. The commissioners are expected to hold at least one public hearing on the recommendations.
For more on this story, see Thursday’s Republic.
