Starke County Commissioners Deny Request to Open More Land to Solar Development

The Starke County Commissioners denied a request Monday to make more land available for the Mammoth Solar Project near Bass Lake. A petition to rezone the Redlin property south of U.S. 35 was denied by a vote of two-to-one, with Mark Gourley opposing the motion. Rezoning the land from Commercial to Agriculture would have allowed for the placement of solar panels.

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Governor Says Local Residents ‘Should Be Front and Center’ in Solar Project Discussions

While dignitaries from around the world converged on Starke County last week to kick off construction on one of the country’s largest solar farms, the reaction from local landowners has been mixed. Speaking to reporters after Thursday’s groundbreaking, Governor Eric Holcomb said he welcomes the input, when it comes to projects on an unprecedented scale.

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Railroad Township Residents Question Proposed Solar Development

Railroad Township area residents ask questions and voice concerns during Wednesday’s meeting.

A proposed Railroad Township solar farm drew a large and somewhat skeptical crowd to an informational meeting Wednesday. NextEra Energy Resources is looking to build a 144-megawatt second phase of the Dunns Bridge Solar Project in Railroad Township.

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Knox Council Holds Off on Final Approval of Solar Farm Standards after Developer Requests Adjustments

The Knox City Council will hold off on final approval of new solar farm standards, until some adjustments can be considered. Under the ordinance presented during Tuesday’s meeting, commercial solar energy systems within the city’s zoning jurisdiction would have to be located in an agricultural zone, at least 200 feet away from any homes, 100 feet from roads, and 50 feet from neighboring properties.

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Pulaski 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.

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Pulaski County BZA Approves another Special Exception for Mammoth Solar Project

Representatives of the Mammoth Solar project and Pulaski County BZA members listen to comments during a lengthy public hearing Monday (screenshot of BZA meeting on Zoom)

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.

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Pulaski 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.

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