(La Porte County, IN) - La Porte County planners are deliberating possible restrictions for solar developments. The planning commission held a workshop prior to its regular meeting last Tuesday.

 

An interested crowd spilled out of the County Complex meeting room into the hallway.

 

County Attorney Doug Biege advised the commission that he needs to review state regulations to make sure that anything the county decides does not supersede them. Contrary to claims by some remonstrators recently, Biege reiterated multiple times that a county ordinance cannot be more stringent than state regulation.

 

Lori Johnston, a resident in the area of the proposed solar installation, objected to the plan, saying that her home would be completely surrounded by solar panels, ruining her view and property value. She said that she has talked to a resident in St. Joseph County whose house was recently surrounded by solar panels and has had trouble selling his home. She also testified that she was offered $20,000 by the solar company to sign a non-disparagement agreement.

 

A spokesperson for the solar company acknowledged that monetary compensation offers have been made to residents adjacent to the solar panels. She also stressed that they have already planned for 250-foot setbacks plus screening, which is according to state standards.

 

Biege reaffirmed that the planning commission only drafts a proposal. The Board of Zoning Appeals will have the final say on any solar projects. But he added that a careful handling of all matters concerned may take a while. He compared it to the process of approving a battery storage facility near Walkerton a couple of years ago. "It may take more than one meeting," he said. "The law is changing very quickly, as you can see. And so I want to make sure we've got concerns covered. I’m not advocating either side; I’m trying to do it the right way.”

 

Resident Steve Holifield suggested that a moratorium on solar projects is the most sensible thing to do. With elections on the horizon, he cautioned that the political winds may shift in the coming year.

 

The planning commission voted not to add moratorium consideration to their regular meeting agenda. In the meantime, attorney Biege is researching state statute, and a special planning commission meeting will convene this upcoming Tuesday, May 30th at 6 p.m. to reconsider the matter.