The Knox County Area Plan Commission heard nearly 90 minutes of comments Tuesday night on the county’s current solar regulations.
The county commissioners had asked the board to review the existing solar ordinance, adopted in 2020. Officials say it is routine to revisit land-use rules about every five years.
Before opening the floor to public comment, several commission members briefly discussed the ordinance and some acknowledged residents’ concerns and frustrations agreeing that property owners have the right to use their land as they choose, others stressed that those decisions should be made reasonably.
The discussion centered on three key issues: the current 200-foot setback between homes and solar panels, screening requirements for solar fields near residences, and rules governing battery energy storage systems.
Over 150 people attended the hearing at the Vincennes Water Utilities building on River Road. The crowd mainly made up of residents of the South Knox area where a current solar project is still in the early stages.
Most of those who spoke were not supportive of solar projects near their property under the current rules. Several asked the board to recommend larger setbacks, with some requesting distances up to 2,500 feet. Many said solar panels are an eyesore and diminish the character of landscapes that, in some cases, have been in their families for generations.
One of the speakers urging the commission to consider larger setbacks was Julie Toothman of South Hart Street Road, who said her home will be surrounded on three sides by panels.
“My home is where I’m raising my two little girls, where they run and play… I understand that I do not own the land surrounding my home. I get that… But enjoying what is supposed to be my forever home is being taken. And I’m not saying don’t put the farms up — they’re coming. I am begging you to please, please consider the request of the 2,500 feet off of our property lines.”
Others — primarily large landowners or farmers — stressed their right to make decisions about their own property. That stance was met with calls from nearby homeowners urging them to consider how those choices affect the people living around them.
Farmer Ray McCormick, who supports solar on his land, told the commission that extreme setbacks would effectively eliminate new solar development.
“I own land and I want solar on it. Everybody out here is demanding that you take away my property rights. These setbacks — 2,500 foot — it kills all solar. A thousand foot kills all solar. You have a good ordinance here… What I would like to see is that we toughen up and improve the screenings.”
McCormick went on to explain how screenings requiring certain vegetation will attract wildlife while greatly diminishing the view of the panels while also improving water runoff.
An attorney representing a group of landowners warned that dramatically increasing setbacks could discourage solar companies from locating in the county, which they said would conflict with state law.
In the end, the plan commission took all comments under advisement. Members said they may continue discussing the issue at a future public meeting where public comment will not be taken, allowing the commission to examine the matter thoroughly among themselves.
Previously county officials have commented that changes to the ordinance won’t affect agreements already in place for existing projects.
