Bob Cox | Journal Evaluation
An amended ordinance setting extra requirements for photo voltaic farms and amenities was accredited Wednesday by the Montgomery County Plan Fee.
The modifications now go to county commissioners for closing approval.
The assembly held on the eve of Thanksgiving was full of residents. Many spoke towards the approval of business photo voltaic farms, citing the potential discount of properties close to the mission, potential hazardous waste contamination of the water aquifer, insufficient fireplace safety, gear and entry to highway.
After the general public listening to, members of the plan fee reviewed the modifications supplied by County Lawyer Dan Taylor. County officers have requested him to make modifications that tackle beforehand offered citizen issues.
“The revisions you could have earlier than you get the revisions that the county commissioners requested,” Taylor mentioned. “If you wish to advocate the change, then the commissioners ought to act on it in two weeks at their first assembly in December.”
He additionally reminded the plan fee that state regulation dictates the county should enable photo voltaic farms, nevertheless, the county can set up an ordinance with pointers and necessities for photo voltaic firm amenities.
Business photo voltaic vitality programs are solely permitted in an agricultural overlay district and industrial zoning districts. If a rezone utility is made for a industrial photo voltaic farm, the petitioner should present the next data: an in depth mission design, highway plan, decommissioning plan, fireplace prevention plan, hazardous supplies administration plan, drainage plan and lighting plan, warmth island. influence research, site visitors circulation plan and noxious weed and invasive species management plan.
The plan contains setbacks from property strains, heart of roads and distance from property strains if adjoining residential property.
With the modifications, the price of decommissioning a photo voltaic mission will fall on the proprietor of the photo voltaic farm, however Taylor mentioned the landowner may additionally have some legal responsibility if a photo voltaic farm may cause harm to neighbors.
Residential and industrial photo voltaic initiatives constructed for the aim of offering vitality to the proprietor are exempt from the ordinance modifications.
After the assembly, Taylor mentioned, “I believe what we’re seeing is that that is the way in which authorities works. The individuals spoke and their voices had been heard.”
