The Starke County Commissioners, along with County Attorney Marty Lucas and officials with Starke Solar, LLC, will take more time to review paperwork and submit additional documents before a decision is finalized pertaining to rezoning properties in the Bass Lake area.
In November, the Starke County Planning Commission made recommendations based on a request by Starke Solar, LLC for the rezoning of several hundred acres to allow flexibility for agriculture zoning. The properties are currently zoned residential or local business and need to be rezoned to agriculture for proper use of the land. Proper rezoning could lead to the potential of solar panel installation. The recommendations need to be considered and determined by the commissioners in order for any further action to take place.
One request approved by the Planning Commission was two sections owned by Mark A. and Diane Kolish totaling about 139 acres that are west of U.S. 35 south of County Road 600 S. in Knox and south of County Road 800 S. in Monterey. Another area that was approved for rezoning was one section owned by the Edna M. Bope Trust totaling 34 acres is on the east side of U.S. 35 at 800 S.
A motion to approve about 280 acres of land owned by Swanson Farms died for a lack of a second. It is located south of Bass Lake west of 700 E. The rezoning of about164 acres of land owned by Welker Ag Properties, LLC north of the Swanson property west of 700 E. near Bass Lake was denied.
The Swanson and Welker properties were met with opposition by adjoining property owners as those parcels are situated close to Bass Lake. Those residents indicated that they do not want solar panels, if the installation is eventually approved, to be placed so close to the lake for environmental reasons.
During Monday night’s Starke County Commissioners meeting, the commissioners indicated that they would like to have additional time as those involved are continuing negotiations with landowners and other stakeholders in the overall request. Additionally, more paperwork needs to be submitted along with procedural clarifications.
County Attorney Marty Lucas said legally the commissioners have 90 days to act on the recommendations from the date that action was taken. The commissioners unanimously approved a motion to delay a determination until the second meeting in January.
