Township officials prioritize solar issues
Auglaize Townships United officials have been making the rounds to local township and township zoning board meetings.
On Monday members attended Duchouquet Township Zoning
meeting as that board started considering regulations for residential solar panels. Projects under 50
megawatts are affected by local zoning. Township Zoning Inspector Tom Doorley reviewed height of panels and proximity to roadways,
similar to what other townships are beginning to consider.
Duchouquet Township officials have heard of two people who have installed solar panels for personal use in the township.
Solar opponent Ann Fisher shared some documentation from Logan Township where zoning was
being revised. Shawnee Township amened their local zoning as well.
Adrian Whetstone, who heads up Auglaize Townships United, is concerned about prime farmland
being lost with large projects and wants township trustees to be proactive.
She said she doesn’t feel as though energy companies are going to stop seeking projects.
Fisher reported renewable energy regulation advocate Julia Johnson
said the Ohio Power Siting Board will believe whatever is printed in the studies until you challenge them. Fisher said there are studies regarding multiple concerns including property values, the effect on wildlife, and drainage.
Concerns were also shared with Union Township board members,
meeting Wednesday night where Union Township trustee Mark Waitman saw the need for a meeting
with commissioners to discuss setting up an exclusion zone for large scale
utility projects in Union Township as
Senate Bill 52 takes effect.
“If the majority doesn’t want
it that’s the way we are going to put it,” Waitman said.
Waitman saw revising local zoning for residential as a longer process, and wanted to contact Auglaize County Prosecutor Ed
Pierce for advice.