Delaware County Commissioners officially extend solar energy project moratorium
The Delaware County Commissioners have officially extended a moratorium on solar energy projects in the county. As IPR’s Stephanie Wiechmann reports, the action doesn’t have an end date, but is expected to be in place through the spring.
Before this week’s meeting, a moratorium from last September extended through March 1. Now, with a unanimous vote, a new moratorium will go out farther. Instead of an end date, the action will stay in place until the county’s zoning ordinance governing solar projects can be amended again.
Commissioner Stephen Brand says he’s met with many people and done lots of research to help write amendments to that ordinance.
“To give a date today on when this is going to be completed, I can’t do that, depending on the actions of the planning commission, and depending on the reaction of the commissioners. But, the plan is to get this ordinance completed and sunset the moratorium.”
This is by far the first moratorium on solar projects in Delaware County and not the first amendments to the solar zoning ordinance, either. The county has spent years deciding how to put solar panels to create energy on rural farm ground – or even if it should be allowed at all.
Read More: Delaware County approves solar zoning ordinance after nearly two years
Speaking to the audience at the meeting, Commissioner Shannon Henry said the Delaware-Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission can’t consider amendments to the zoning ordinance at its March meeting, because of state-mandated notice requirements.
“Look for it – not saying it will be – I’m saying look for it on the April 3 meeting. Is everybody clear on that?”
Read More: Report: Indiana has a lot of land for solar energy projects
There’s both coordinated support and opposition among Delaware County residents for the idea of solar energy.
Delaware County also has a moratorium on considering tax abatements for any solar energy projects, put in place by the county council.
Stephanie Wiechmann is our Managing Editor and “All Things Considered” Host. Contact her at [email protected].
