The Starke County Commissioners discussed amendments to the solar energy ordinance during their Monday morning meeting.
The landscape buffer and screening was a section of the amended ordinance.
It explained participating solar energy landowners adjoining another participating landowner may opt out of the landscape buffer screening requirement along all property lines upon written and recorded legal agreement between land owners. The recorded legal agreement would need to be submitted to the Plan Commission for approval.
Vegetated ground cover was amended as well.
The amendment adds an equivalent pollinator-friendly standard designed for Midwest ecosystems and conditions that will meet water quality and habitat goals by the local USDA and Natural Resources Conservation Service of Starke County or other qualified seed specialist.
The first reading of the amendments to the solar energy ordinance was approved.
