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Stephanie Wiechmann
The first ordinance was passed in late 2023. After a multi-year process and the outpouring of vitriol about putting large scale solar panel projects on county farmland less than a year later. County commissioners basically began the whole process over again after hearing from local farmers who were still not happy about solar company interest in Delaware County. Chris Smith is president of the Delaware Muncie Metropolitan Plan Commission.

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Chris Smith
We are not voting on whether or not solar farms can be constructed in Delaware County, but rather if they are, these are the rules we would like to use.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
Kylene Swackhammer is the commission's executive director. She says between 2023 and Tuesday night, a new and expanded ordinance was written and will replace the previous one.

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Kylene Swackhammer
It's not like a red line copy of this text was changed to this because it's significantly different. I mean, even the the length of the document is significantly different.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
The Commission made several amendments to that new document Tuesday night, and ultimately voted 8 to 1 to recommend the county commissioners approve the ordinance. Voting no is Jesse Landess, a third generation farmer from Daleville. Before that, they heard several hours of local comment on bringing large solar projects to Delaware County. Farmer Charles Lancaster signed up his land for the solar project.

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Charles Lancaster
To stabilize and supplement my farm income to offset the ever increasing property taxes and other related expenses.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
Fellow farmer Ryan Richards is worried about being completely surrounded by solar panels.

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Ryan Richards
I spent 25 years building grain bins, pole barns. I can't just pick that stuff up and leave. I'm stuck there.

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Stephanie Wiechmann
With a favorable recommendation, the ordinance goes to the Delaware County commissioners for a vote on adoption. The county's moratorium on solar projects cannot end until after that vote in Muncie. Stephanie Wiechmann, IPR news.