Pulaski 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.

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Pulaski County BZA Approves Mammoth Solar Project but Adds a Number of Stipulations

Sheriff Jeff Richwine escorts a speaker from the meeting room during Monday’s BZA hearing. (screenshot of BZA meeting video stream)

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.

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Solar 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.

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Pulaski County BZA Tables Solar Farm Decision until Next Month

An audience member shares his concerns in this screenshot of the video stream from Monday’s Pulaski County BZA hearing.

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.

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Pulaski 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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Pulaski Commissioners to Hold Hearing on COVID-19 Response Grant Application Today

Pulaski County Commissioners: Mike McClure, Jerry Locke, Kenny Becker

Pulaski County residents have a chance to weigh in on a proposed small business relief program during this morning’s county commissioners meeting. A public hearing will be held on the county’s application for $250,000 from the state’s COVID-19 Response Program. If approved, that money would then be used to provide grants to Pulaski County businesses, similar to a program that recently took place in the City of Knox.

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Pulaski County Commissioners to Vote on Solar Ordinance Updates Today

Pulaski County Commissioners: Mike McClure, Jerry Locke, Kenny Becker

Updates to Pulaski County’s solar farm regulations are up for the county commissioners’ final approval this morning. One of the biggest changes is that commercial solar farms would only be allowed in agricultural zones after a hearing before the board of zoning appeals or in planned unit developments. The proposed updates to the county’s Unified Development Ordinance got a favorable recommendation from the advisory plan commission last month.

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