The City of Vandalia’s Planning Commission voted against removing the requirement of a special use permit for a solar project. And, the matter will now go before the Vandalia City Council on Monday.
On Thursday of this past week, the City of Vandalia Zoning Board rejected issuing a special use permit to the solar project that is outside of Vandalia City limits but within 1.5 miles of the city’s limits—meaning the city has joint jurisdiction along with the Fayette County Board. The project is an 18 megawatt project, covering 151 acres and would be an over $20 million investment by Birch Creek Development. While the Zoning Board’s decision is final, a vote was pending by the City’s Planning Commission to remove the requirement for the special use permit and that was the entire agenda for the Commission on Tuesday. City of Vandalia Attorney Ryan Connor reminded the Commission members what they were acting on.
Some of the members of the Planning Commission voiced concern that this would mean the city would have no say on projects within the 1.5 mile area if they were approved by the county. But, Connor said they were only considering special use permits in Agriculture for electric generating facilities. And, with the City Council considering an ordinance on solar that will likely be approved in September, Connor reminded them that this issue will be short lived.
Meaning that this project would probably be the only one ever affected by this change, as the new ordinance would cover the issue within just a few weeks. Commission member Jerry Swarm made the motion to eliminate the special use permit requirement and it was seconded by Nathan Miller. Swarm voted yes but members Miller, Tony Simmons and Dennis Grubaugh voted no—meaning the special use requirement is still in place. The Planning Commission’s decision now goes to the Vandalia City Council at their meeting on Monday. The council could concur with the Planning Commission decision or vote against it. That decision will decide whether or not the solar project can move forward at this time.
Comments