The Knox County Commissioners meet Tuesday to review public comment received during a special Sunday session at the Monroe City Blue Jeans Center on proposed changes to the county’s solar ordinance.
The weekend meeting, which lasted a little more than an hour, was scheduled to give residents a more convenient opportunity to speak. No vote was taken.
Public comment reflected the balance commissioners are being asked to consider between landowner rights and protections for neighboring properties.
Supporters of solar development said the projects would provide long-term tax revenue, construction jobs and stable income for farm families. They told the board lease payments can help offset rising agricultural costs, and said solar is vital to future energy needs. Some described the 300-foot residential setback recommended by the Knox County Area Plan Commission as a workable compromise.
Landowner Brian Myers of Harrison Township, who has a contract with a solar company, spoke in favor of that change.
“Despite strong evidence that a 250-foot setback is safe and reasonable, and that nothing has materially changed to require an ordinance adjustment, we are willing to concede that 300 feet is something we can live with to move the process forward,” Myers said. “We support the Area Plan Commission’s recommendation to change the residential setback to 300 feet.”
Other speakers, including nearby homeowners, called for greater separation between solar facilities and homes and for additional written protections in the ordinance. Concerns included long-term property values, private well protection, land use after decommissioning, road maintenance during construction and financial safeguards for decommissioning.
Harrison Township resident Keith Doades said he believes most residents are not opposed to solar development but want stronger standards in place.
“There is a reason the vast majority of counties in Indiana have much greater protections for their citizens than Knox County does,” Doades said. “The current protections are inadequate. A 200-foot setback is an embarrassment, and the 300-foot setback recommended by the Area Plan Commission is almost embarrassing.”
Commissioners President T.J. Brink said the next step is for the board to review the public input and determine whether further revisions are needed.
“I will be interested to see what the other two commissioners recommend,” Brink said. “I know where I am comfortable, and we will see if we can find a compromise among the three of us.”
If the commissioners decide to make changes to the Area Plan Commission’s recommendations, the county attorney will draft updated ordinance language. Any revisions would then return to the plan commission for review before coming back to the commissioners for possible final action.
The commissioners meet at 10 a.m. Tuesday at Vincennes City Hall for their regular meeting.
