Warren County is considering rules for future private solar energy farms, and members of the public have a chance to voice their opinions on the matter.
On Aug. 20, the county’s planning and …
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Warren County is considering rules for future private solar energy farms, and members of the public have a chance to voice their opinions on the matter.
On Aug. 20, the county’s planning and zoning board will consider proposed rules for where and how solar farms will be allowed to operate in Warren County, in a hearing which will be open to public comment.
The hearing is 7 p.m. Aug. 20 in the lower level of the county administration building in Warrenton.
Presiding County Commissioner Joe Gildehaus said the county government isn’t advocating for or against solar farms. But if the industry does come to Warren County, he said there needs to be clear guidelines.
Gildehaus said solar companies have independently been expressing interest in Warren County locations, without any prompting from the county government.
“Warren County didn’t go after solar farms. These companies found Warren County,” Gildehaus said.
He explained that the county has sought information about how solar energy facilities have been handled in other areas, but that the industry is relatively uncommon in Missouri.
Several more public hearings will be held in the next couple months before any final decision is made on the solar district rules, Gildehaus said.
“It’s going to be very transparent,” he commented.
The proposed rules will allow for the creation of “solar energy overlay districts.” These are agricultural areas that are specifically designated for solar energy operations. No area would be designated for solar development without the consent of the property owner, according to the proposal.
The proposed rules include provisions to reduce any disturbance to homeowners or conservation areas. Among the restrictions proposed for solar energy districts are:
• Solar energy districts can only be established on agricultural land.
• All adjacent properties must already be zoned for agricultural or industrial use.
• The district must be a minimum acreage, the size of which is yet to be determined.
• Minimum setback of 50 feet from any designated wetland.
• Minimum setback of 200 feet from any residence, unless the owner consents to being closer.
• Vegetation buffer between the solar district and any adjacent public road, or any residence within 1,000 feet.
Members of the public who want to weigh in on the solar energy overlay district rules will each be given a few minutes to speak at the Aug. 20 planning and zoning hearing.
The hearing will also be open to remote participation through the Zoom video conference application. Information about how to participate online is available from the county’s planning and zoning office.
A full copy of the solar energy district rules is also available from the planning and zoning office, which can be contacted by calling 636-456-3044.
