The Clinton County Commissioners on Tuesday morning elected to table a decision on rezoning a Solar Overlay District that would be the first step for a proposed solar farm in and around Kilmore.
“We received the favorable recommendation from the Area Plan Commission for the creation of an overlay zone for a solar farm primarily in Union Township here in Clinton County,” said Clinton County Commissioners President Josh Uitts. “Even though they (the APC) favor recommendation, we took it under advisement and left it tabled. We feel like it was appropriate not to take some kind of action.”
Only three people spoke during the public comment portion of Tuesday’s meeting. The concerns they had centered around making too quick of a decision on the project, property value concerns and too much glare coming from the panels.
Former Clinton County Commissioner Bert Weaver presented the Commissioners a petition which had 154 signatures on it against the plan.
“Lets not hurry,” said Weaver. “We need to take time to make a decision. I’m not against solar. I’m concerned about the location of the panels.”
Uitts added they are in a hurry to make a decision. He did offer up when a decision might be made.
“My guess would be at our next meeting we’ll take some kind of action whether or not to rezone it,” said Uitts. “I think that would be appropriate.”
Uitts added the Commissioners are still receiving comments from individuals both for and against the project.
Back on February 26, the Area Plan Commission unanimously approved the concept of the Hardy Hills Solar Project. At that time, APC President Dan Sheets said, “We are not the final say. The County Commissioners will have the final vote.”
Uitts reiterated that if the overlay is approved, it does not mean a project is going to happen.
In other news, the Commissioners approved a bid of $4.7 million from J.G. Chase of Muncie to take water out to Interstate 65.
“We received six bids which we were excited about because it made it a competitive bid environment and it worked in our favor,” said Uitts. “There are a lot of projects right now that are coming in way over budget because that’s how busy contractors are. We came in right in where our budget number was to get water from Jefferson essentially to about 900 West on the west side of the State Road 28 and Interstate 65 interchange.”
Uitts said they gave the contractor a notice to proceed.
The Commissioners also announced they have selected a site for a rural ambulance facility on the east side of Clinton County.
“The general area we’re looking is between State Road 28 and State Road 29,” said Uitts. “About everywhere else is very well covered here in Clinton County. We’ve had folks reach out who are concerned about what we are going to do for the east side of the county. We want to do this as quickly as we can.”