Starke County Attorney Marty Lucas updated the Starke County Commissioners on the proposed rezoning requests in the Bass Lake area last week.
The commissioners are set to make a decision on the Starke County Planning Commission’s recommendations on the rezoning requests that may lead to solar panel installation on properties.
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 meeting of the Bass Lake Property Owners Association Saturday showed that two properties near the lake in the initial rezoning proposal have adjusted the boundaries for rezoning. Those areas included land owned by Swanson Farms located south of Bass Lake west of 700 E. and land owned by Welker Ag Properties, LLC north of the Swanson property west of 700 E. near Bass Lake. The areas of land closest to the lake were scaled back and those who originally opposed the rezoning seemed to agree with the changes. Many were concerned that solar panels would be visible from lake homes, but it was determined that there would not be an aesthetic issue. There was discussion of using irrigation to pump water into the lake with proper permitted from the DNR and IDEM.
That amended rezoning request will be brought before the Planning Commission for further consideration.
Mammoth Solar President Nick Cohen said if all goes to plan, installation of solar panels could occur at the end of the year. He cited the economic and tax revenue benefits of the project.
Beyond that, Lucas told the commissioners last week that it was not entirely clear if the Planning Commission members certified their recommendation. Lucas said that should be done which was an oversight. Lucas said he discussed that with the attorney who requested the rezoning who agreed with that procedural issue. Additionally, a petition should be signed by the landowners of the affected properties. While the landowners agreed to the changes, Lucas thought there should be signatures on the petitions.
A decision could be made next week during the commissioners meeting.
