00;00;00;01 - 00;00;15;00 Stephanie Wiechmann A local task force has been adding to a local zoning ordinance governing solar projects on agricultural lands for more than a year. That's after coordinated opposition to two proposed solar projects near Gaston and Albany. Brandon Petro of Gaston says he doesn't want solar projects near his land. 00;00;15;06 - 00;00;31;29 Brandon Petro Another man's right to do as he pleases with his land should not diminish my rights or the enjoyment of my rights. You know, I think the story would be completely different if we proposed a solar project on Morrow's Meadow. 00;00;32;02 - 00;00;39;24 Stephanie Wiechmann But solar advocates like Jason Donati, who served on the task force, want the county to welcome solar projects for their economic and environmental benefits. 00;00;39;28 - 00;01;03;00 Jason Donati We are tasked with being objective in creating an ordinance for the entire county. What was apparent to me was there was clear voices in there that were completely against it altogether. And when you if it's just one part of our county that's against this, it's eliminating all the opportunity for the rest of the county. 00;01;03;02 - 00;01;29;05 Stephanie Wiechmann The committee suggested several changes to the ordinance, adding in provisions to benefit nonparticipating properties, like requiring a year's notice of any solar project before the company even applies to the county, a good neighbor agreement and a property value guarantee. But a county hired consultant says those things are uncommon and largely unenforceable by county officials. On her recommendation, the Muncie Delaware County Metropolitan Plan Commission voted to remove those provisions. 00;01;29;06 - 00;01;52;29 Stephanie Wiechmann Solar opponents were upset, but nothing caused more vocal ire than changing the proposed limit to the number of acres of farmland that solar projects could occupy. The task force suggested the limit to be 3400 acres, or 2% of the county's farmland. Plan Commission member and County Commissioner Shannon Henry received a successful vote on his suggestion to increase that to 35,000 acres, or 20%. 00;01;53;01 - 00;01;55;11 Stephanie Wiechmann And then the yelling from the audience began. 00;01;55;13 - 00;01;56;29 Audience Talking in dozens ... 00;01;57;01 - 00;02;04;01 Audience It’s not in your backyard, is it? It's going to bring more lawsuits (gavel banging) if you go the other way. 00;02;04;03 - 00;02;15;06 Stephanie Wiechmann The commission sent the solar ordinance with a favorable recommendation to adopt to the Delaware County Commissioners. It will be considered at a meeting on November 20th. In Muncie, Stephanie Wiechmann, IPR news.