Residents from Rossville attended the Clinton County Board of Commissioners meeting on Oct. 17 to express their dissatisfaction with the potential solar farm project that may develop on the eastern side of town.
The Rossville Town Hall held a public meeting on Sept. 26 at the Town Park Pavilion to discuss rezoning property east of Rossville on State Road 26 for a solar farm. Residents of Rossville approached the commissioners regarding the subject at the Oct. 17 meeting to express discontent with the prospect of the development.
Liz Stitzel, Area Plan Commission Director, stated that the current plans proposed by the developers would place the solar farm inside the borders of Rossville, which would enter an urban growth area boundary. The current projected placement would require the developers to receive approval from the town to begin the steps of filing with the Area Plan Commission. However, Stitzel continued to state that if the developers decide to move the solar farm outside of the boundary and the town, the first step for approval would be the developers filing with the Area Plan Commission. In the second instance, Rossville’s approval would not be required for the project to develop. Stitzel stated that an application has not been submitted by the developers yet, and she expressed that if the commission becomes the first step for filing, a letter from Rossville will be requested for consideration.
“I would note that we still as an office will want an opinion letter from the Town of Rossville as to how they believe it does or doesn’t affect them,” Stitzel said. “That letter’s not binding. The board doesn’t have to follow it, but we would see the Town of Rossville is a relevant and affected area given the proximity of the potential location.”
Stitzel stated that the project remains in its infancy, and the developers are unsure whether the area would receive MISO Energy approval to place the power on the grid. Without the approval, the solar farm’s power would be unable to be stored, which would cause the project to be futile according to Stitzel.
The group that attended the meeting expressed relief with the new information, and Jordan Brewer, Commissioner President, stated that the project may not reach the commissioners’ desk for months or years into the future.
“We had a large group that wanted to express their opinion on the ‘potential’–and I use that term in quotations–’potential’ solar project up near Rossville,” Brewer said. “I’ve received countless emails and phone calls about it. I’ve told them all the same thing, and it was explained today that it is not even really on the commissioners radar or something we’re considering at this point. We know about it because of these conversations, but there’s many, many steps that have to be taken care of before it would come to our level to do a vote.”
The discussion of the solar farm at the meeting was sparked by Rashel Rodkey, a concerned Rossville resident. Rodkey commented that with the introduction of information about the solar farm by the Town of Rossville, many residents have become concerned with the logistics behind the project, and she posed numerous questions and topics regarding the subject.
“As concerned citizens of Rossville in Clinton County, we have questions,” Rodkey said. “They include but are not limited to the following topics: future expansion and growth opportunities of Rossville, safety regarding fire, hail and wind events, environmental concerns regarding the lithium batteries and the components of the panels, drainage of the leased land and the decommissioning process.”
The project will potentially cover 263 acres owned by Ceres Farms LLC in South Bend, and Rodkey expressed that the company owns 1,100 acres in Clinton County and does not have local ties to measure the impact of a solar farm on the community of Rossville. According to Rodkey, the project would be a 35-year land lease.
“This proposal, if approved by you, the Clinton County Commissioners, will forever alter our close-knit community of Rossville,” Rodkey said. “I am here today so that our voice can be heard as the second largest town in Clinton County. Rossville hopes that this will not be a rushed decision, and that you, as our elected officials, the Clinton County Commissioners, will allow and encourage community discussion and involvement.”
Carolyn Mosson approached the commissioners on behalf of Milner Community Healthcare to act as a voice for the residents. Mosson commented that the town has become an outstanding retirement community for the residents, and she expressed fears that the implementation of a solar farm will disrupt the peace experienced by the residents currently.
“If the panels go in, it will be in my front yard, and it will also be in my backyard, and many of the residents there will be the same,” Mosson said. “I’m 84, and I don’t want to live the rest of my life seeing those ugly panels.”
Brewer stated that he has not had direct contact with the Town of Rossville Board, but he remains open to the contact to discuss the project. Stitzel encouraged the community to visit the Area Plan office at Old Stoney at 301 E. Clinton St. in Frankfort or call the office at 765-659-6302 for updates on the filings with Area Plan. Once a document is filed with the department, a sign will be placed in the designated area for the project, which will be a further indication that paperwork has been filed by the developers. Residences within 600-feet of the proposed area will receive a personal letter if documents are filed.