A proposed commercial solar project near Huntingburg cannot move forward after a zoning board ruling.
The Dubois County Free Press, Dubois County Free Press reports the Huntingburg Board of Zoning Appeals voted unanimously this week to deny an appeal from Crossvine Solar One, LLC. The company had challenged a city determination that its development plan had expired.
The project was approved in August of 2023 and covered land within the city’s extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction. Under Huntingburg’s development rules, the company had two years to obtain required permits and begin construction.
Planning and Zoning Administrator Paul Lake ruled in December that those requirements had not been met by the August 2025 deadline. Lake testified he visited the site and did not observe construction activity.
Attorneys for the project argued construction had begun through off-site work, including manufacturing and procurement of solar equipment. They said more than 75 million dollars had been spent on those activities before the deadline.
The Dubois County Free Press went on to report that Huntingburg City representatives argued the ordinance requires construction activity at the project site and said off-site manufacturing and shipping do not meet that standard.
The board also reviewed a city moratorium adopted last November that blocks new or revised commercial solar development plans.
After the hearing, the board voted to uphold the city’s determination that the development plan had expired and remains void.
The decision can be appealed to circuit court within 30 days.
