A large crowd was on hand for a City of Vandalia Planning Commission Meeting on Monday.
The agenda for the meeting calling for the discussion of the potential modifying of Zoning Regulations in Agricultural Districts. A large crowd was on hand for the meeting and wanted to discuss a proposed solar farm that appears to be outside of Vandalia’s City Limits but within 1 1/2 miles of the city’s limit. At June’s Fayette County Board meeting, Zachary and Katie Ledbetter–who recently built a home at 1480 N. 425 Street–came to ask about a proposed solar farm that is proposed to be built around them. It was confirmed at the county board meeting that night that the proposed solar farm around their home was approved last May by the County Board. Those on hand for Monday’s Planning Commission Meeting were not pleased with the proposed solar farm and wanted to know if there was something that could be done about it. It was pointed out the proposed solar farm would be within 1 1/2 miles of the City of Vandalia’s City Limits, which City Attorney Ryan Connor said would give them shared jurisdiction with the county. Fayette County Board Vice Chairman Merrell Collins was on hand for the meeting and stated the county was not aware of the 1 1/2 mile issue. Mayor Rick Gottman wanted to give time for all those on hand who wanted to address the Commission to be able to do so. After the meeting, Mayor Gottman talked about the issue.
And, Mayor Gottman did say he would like to have a joint meeting with the county to further discuss the issue.
It was stated at the end of the Planning Commission meeting there will be other opportunities for citizens to voice their opinions. The Vandalia City Council is also working towards an ordinance dealing with solar projects. As for the county, they do not have zoning–therefore they cannot limit such projects. But, there ware some limitations—solar projects must be 500 feet away from a residence, they must have a fence and they can require them to have trees or shrubs to block the solar project.
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