The Starke County Commissioners opened the floor to the public for a solar discussion during their meeting Monday.
Several different voices were heard as the majority of the public in attendance spoke in favor for the county to place a moratorium or a cap on the current acreage allowed in Starke County to be used as solar farms. Concerns from those in attendance included the environmental aspect of the projects as well as the property value of neighboring residents to solar panels.
It was stated by the commissioners, the county does have a decommissioning bond in effect that gives them the opportunity to review solar farms every five years. It was also announced the county is projected to see economic development funds from solar by the end of 2024 or beginning of 2025.
The commissioners discussed with Starke County Attorney Justin Schramm different options the county could pursue if interested in placing a cap or approving a moratorium. Schramm stated a moratorium would place a pause on future permits being issued and only allow current permit holders to continue with their project. He added a cap would stop future projects from happening once a certain number of acres in the county have been used by solar.
The commissioners decided to have Schramm put together a couple different moratorium drafts for them to consider at their next meeting. That meeting is scheduled to be Monday, June 19 at 6:00 p.m. CT in the ground floor meeting room of the Starke County Annex Building No. 1 at 53 E. Mound Street in Knox.
