The Starke County Commissioners discussed solar moratoriums during tThe Starke County Commissioners discussed solar moratoriums during their January 6 meeting.
The topic began with questions from Spencer England about certain permitting processes in the county and how the county typically goes through the processes. Much debate and discussion was held on how permits are approved and at what point a project is officially under a permitting process. He said he believes there are some arbitrary decisions being made when it comes to issuing permits.
Plan Commission Administrator Mary Beever explained that permits go through the approval process by ordinance. She said the permit process begins when the plans are submitted to her office. There are other steps in which projects will go to the engineer who will review the plans and make sure all documents are submitted according to the ordinance and then to the Technical Review Committee and then to Plan Commission for approval.
The concept of a committee of about 8-10 people was made to get public input on projects to be heard by the Plan Commission for consideration before taking a vote on proposals before them in a public meeting. There was not a formal vote to create a committee.
After more discussion on streamlining processes, and making the permitting process more clear and fair, Commissioner Michael VanDeMark made a motion to place a moratorium on new solar projects with the exception of those already issued a permit. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Charles Chesak. The motion passed by a vote of 2-1 with Commissioner Don Binkley opposed to the motion.
VanDeMark made another motion to approve a moratorium on battery storage systems with no exclusions unless projects have already been issued a permit. It was the understanding that no permits for such projects have been issued. The motion was seconded by Chesak and the motion was approved by a vote of 2-1 with Binkley opposed.
The moratoriums would be for 12 months. The recommendations for the moratoriums will be sent to the Starke County Plan Commission for further action. The Plan Commission will schedule a public hearing on the moratoriums as recommended by the commissioners and then take action on the moratoriums in a meeting. A proposal will then go back to the commissioners for further action.