(Versailles, IN) – The Ripley County Area Plan Commission (APC) voted unanimously Tuesday night to make a favorable recommendation on the proposed solar ordinance to county commissioners.
This comes after months of negotiations, which resulted in seven amendments receiving the go ahead.
“The key thing that helped the planning commission approve that tonight was the negotiators finally landed on a 400-foot setback from any adjacent existing residence, which increased from 250-feet to 400-feet,” said APC member and Ripley County Surveyor Jeff French.
Once approved by county commissioners, property owners will be able to lease land to install solar panels.
“If the landowner signs a contract with the solar provider, they now have an ordinance in place to know how to proceed,” French said.
County resident Patricia Ertel addressed the plan commission and spoke in favor of the panels.
“Solar is quiet, it’s clean, it isn’t a problem, and when they put these panels in, it’s going to be a lot of money for the county,” Ertel said. “All of the panels, will mean millions of dollars worth of assessment coming to the county. And the county needs money for a new jail, or remodel the courthouse, or whatever.”
The issue came to light last May, when property owners south of Batesville voiced concerns about land near their residences and properties being leased for solar installations.
A vote by Ripley County Commissioners on the solar ordinance recommendation could come as soon as their next meeting on Friday, March 15.
