(La Porte County, IN) - A solar energy company wanting to operate in La Porte County is defending its recently defeated project.

 

The La Porte County Board of Zoning Appeals voted 3 to 2 last week against a request by Hoosier Solar for a special exception to the current zoning to place solar panels on 300 acres in the southeast part of the county.

 

According to Hoosier Solar, the plans met or exceeded all of the requirements under the La Porte County solar ordinance and no rationale or factual basis has been provided to explain the grounds for denial.

 

Hoosier Solar officials say the company voluntarily committed to 500 foot solar panel setbacks from residences, well beyond what’s required by the ordinance, and planned to plant trees and shrubs that exceeded the local screening standards.

 

According to company officials, the project also would have generated about $24 million in local tax revenue over 35-years, compared to about $400,000 over the same time period from continued agriculture use.

 

Hoosier Solar CEO Steven Lichtin said the rejection of the plans was disappointing.

 

“We believe the decision was inconsistent with both the evidence presented and the standards established in La Porte County’s ordinance. Property owners, residents and project developers deserve a permitting process in which decisions are based on the adopted criteria and supported by the record so that the county’s ordinances are applied consistently, objectively and fairly,” he said.