Another Pulaski County solar farm has gotten the green light from the board of zoning appeals. The BZA approved a special exception Monday for the Moss Creek Solar project, with Board President Derrick Stalbaum abstaining. That was despite opposition from members of the public, as well as questions about the legality of the board’s actions from both opponents and the developer itself.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Take Comments on Moss Creek Solar Project Tonight
Pulaski County residents can weigh in on a proposed solar farm tonight. Moss Creek Solar is seeking permission from the board of zoning appeals to build a 1,600-acre solar development on farmland in Beaver Township. It would be developed by NextEra Energy Resources and could be up and running by the end of 2023.
Continue readingLt. Gov. Expects General Assembly to Revisit Solar, Wind Farm Regulations
Renewable energy projects could change the landscape of parts of rural Indiana, but whether that’s a change communities should embrace continues to be debated.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA Will Have to Revisit Mammoth Solar Project
Zoning approval for the Pulaski County portion of the Mammoth Solar project has been struck down in court. An order filed this week in Pulaski Superior Court found that the developer’s application for a special exception from the board of zoning appeals failed to meet the requirements of the county’s Unified Development Ordinance.
Continue readingPulaski County Council to Discuss Solar Tonight
The Pulaski County Council is expected to get an update on solar farm development tonight. The council has been asked to consider a tax abatement for the Mammoth Solar project, but litigation over the project has delayed those discussions.
Continue readingAnother Solar Farm Proposed for Pulaski County
Another solar farm proposal could soon be making its way to the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals. NextEra Energy Resources has announced plans for the Moss Creek Solar Project.
Continue readingPulaski County Commissioners Finalize Updates to Solar Regulations
The Pulaski County Commissioners have finalized updates to the county’s solar farm regulations, but not without some concerns from Commissioner Chuck Mellon. The commissioners Monday approved the amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance recommended by the advisory plan commission on March 11. The adjustments beef up setback and screening requirements, among other things.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA Approves another Special Exception for Mammoth Solar Project
A proposed solar farm has passed another approval round with the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals. Board members approved a special exception request for the Mammoth Solar project Monday. It adds almost 4,700 acres to the project’s footprint.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Hold another Hearing on Proposed Solar Farm Tonight
Pulaski County residents will once again be weighing in on solar farm development tonight. The board of zoning appeals will hold a public hearing over Mammoth Solar’s request for permission to install solar panels on almost 4,700 acres of farm ground. They would be placed in three separate sections in Franklin, Jefferson, Monroe, and Rich Grove townships.
Continue readingPulaski Plan Commission Sends Updated Solar Regulations to County Commissioners but Proposed State Legislation Could Supersede Them
Updates to Pulaski County’s solar farm regulations got the approval of the county’s advisory plan commission Thursday. The proposed adjustments would beef up setback and screening requirements.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Hold Another Solar Hearing Next Month
A proposed solar farm development will be back before the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals next month. Board members will take comments on a special exception request for Mammoth Solar. Developers are seeking permission to install solar panels on almost 4,700 acres. They would be placed in three separate sections in Franklin, Jefferson, Monroe, and Rich Grove townships.
Continue readingPulaski County Council Hopes That CARES Act Funds Could Ease Impact of Solar Litigation
How a pending legal battle over a proposed solar farm will impact Pulaski County’s finances was discussed by the county council Monday. A group of 10 individuals has taken legal action against both the board of commissioners and the board of zoning appeals, regarding the Mammoth Solar project.
Continue readingPulaski County Preparing for Solar Farm Legal Battle
Pulaski County is gearing up for a legal battle over a proposed solar farm. A group of 10 individuals has filed a petition for judicial review related to the Mammoth Solar project.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA Approves Mammoth Solar Project but Adds a Number of Stipulations
A Pulaski County solar farm proposal can keep moving ahead, but with a number of stipulations. The county’s board of zoning appeals Monday unanimously approved a special exception request for the proposed Mammoth Solar project but added a list of conditions and commitments for the developer.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Vote on Solar Farm Proposal Tonight
A decision on a 4,500-acre solar farm proposal is expected tonight. The Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals held off on granting a special exception last month, as members wanted more time to research the project’s potential impact on the environment, ecology, and wildlife, as well as residents’ health.
Continue readingWinamac Looks to Solar Developer to Help Turn Abandoned Grain Elevator into Recreational Area
Pulaski County’s proposed solar farm may have a role to play in Winamac’s revitalization efforts. Town Attorney Justin Schramm says the town had been looking to tear down an abandoned grain elevator near the intersection of Logan and Jefferson streets and possibly redevelop the site as a park facility to tie into the adjacent Panhandle Pathway.
Continue readingSolar Project Opponents Draw Crowd to Winamac Town Park
Opponents of a proposed solar energy development rallied support Thursday, ahead of an upcoming vote by the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals. Dozens gathered at the Winamac Town Park to hear about some potential drawbacks of the 4,500-acre Mammoth Solar project. Concerns included fire protection, property values, and the proposed development’s size.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA Tables Solar Farm Decision until Next Month
The Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals wants more time before deciding whether a solar farm proposal can move ahead with its permitting process. After almost two hours of public comment Monday, board members voted to table the Mammoth Solar special exception request, to give them more time to research the project’s potential impact on the environment, ecology, and wildlife, as well as residents’ health.
Continue readingPulaski County BZA to Hold Public Hearing on Proposed Solar Farm Tonight
A proposed solar farm development will be the focus of a public hearing held by the Pulaski County Board of Zoning Appeals tonight. A company called Mammoth Solar is seeking permission to build solar arrays on more than 4,500 acres of farmland. Tonight, the BZA will take comments on Mammoth’s request for a special exception.
Continue readingPulaski County Officials Considering Social Distancing Protocols for BZA Solar Farm Hearing
A proposed solar farm in Pulaski County is expected to draw a crowd to next week’s board of zoning appeals meeting. How to keep everyone safe from COVID-19 was a topic of discussion during Monday’s county commissioners meeting. A company called Mammoth Solar is seeking permission to build solar arrays on more than 4,500 acres of farmland. The project would be in portions of Jefferson, Beaver, Rich Grove, Franklin, and Monroe townships.
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