Warren County Planning and Zoning Board members are recommending approval of the boundaries for two proposed solar energy districts in northern Warren County. 

Both projects received no opposition from board members present at a Nov. 30 vote.

The Warren County Commission has scheduled final public hearings for the solar energy districts later this month, and will likely deliver a final ruling before the end of December.

The zoning board, a volunteer group of community advisors, heard four hours of testimony in November about whether the county should approve the boundaries for two solar farms that would occupy a combined 6,225 acres of agricultural land. 

On Monday, Nov. 30, board members expressed sympathy for nearby property owners who are concerned about the value of their land if the solar districts are approved, among other complaints. But board members said they were bound to consider the applications from solar companies Ranger Power and Invenergy based on standards the Warren County Commission established in early October.

“If they meet (the standards), we’ve got to have a pretty doggone good reason to deny it,” commented board vice chairman David Heinlein.

“You’d have to be able to show they do not meet the requirements,” confirmed County Attorney Mark Vincent.

Most of the county’s standards are aimed at preventing the solar farms from becoming an eyesore or nuisance. Despite the concerns of neighbors, the zoning board found no fault with the applications for the solar district boundaries.

Board members floated the idea of denying approval of the solar district maps, and starting the rule-making process over with more protections for nearby property values. But such a move would require agreement from the Warren County Commission, which can override any recommendation from the planning and zoning board.

In the end, Heinlein said, the issue comes down to balancing complaints against the rights of property owners who agreed to lease their land to the solar companies. 

“The property owner has the option to do things to his land that he wants to do. ... If you don’t let him make that economic decision, where does it stop at?” Heinlein said. “If the landowner wants to put a hog farm right up next to the neighbors, they can do that. Will that affect property values? Probably will.”

One other concern discussed by the zoning board is how to ensure the solar companies continue meeting the county’s standards in future years.

“We revoke their permit,” answered attorney Vincent. “We have the right every year to inspect (the solar farms).”

Vincent was referring to operating permits that the solar companies will have to renew every year. Those permits would also come with hefty fees, totaling around $1 million, that would be distributed among local public services.

Zoning board members voted 6-0 to recommend approval of Invenergy’s solar energy district, which would occupy 4,400 acres in the area of Highway A and Highway W.

The zoning board voted 5-0 to recommend approval of Ranger Power’s solar energy district, consisting of 1,800 acres off of Highway 47, just south of the Lincoln County border. Board member Corey Johnston abstained due to owning property just outside the proposed district.

Board members Martha Groeper and Cuddy Gildehaus were absent.

The next step will be two more public hearings Dec. 16 and 17 before the Warren County Commission.

The Dec. 16 hearing will focus on the solar district off Highway 47. It will take place 6 p.m. at Creekside Place Church.

The Dec. 17 hearing focuses on the Highway A/Highway W solar district. It will take place 6 p.m. at the Warrenton High School Commons.

The county commission has not yet set a date for its final ruling on the solar energy districts.