~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
Greene County supervisors chair John Muir made it clear the county is in charge when it comes to utility-scale solar energy systems.
Proposed changed in the county’s zoning ordinances affecting solar energy projects in the county was on the supervisors’ Aug. 29 agenda. Marta Lasch, permitting specialist from National Grid Renewables, the company seeking to build a large solar energy system near Grand Junction, had also requested to be part of the discussion.
Lasch presented page-by-page changes NGR would like to see in the zoning ordinance. Muir reminded her, though, that the discussion was not a negotiation with NGR.
“We have to look after the interests of agriculture,” he said, “We have to attempt a balance. We’re looking for balance.”
Lasch recommended striking the cap of 1,000 acres per solar energy farm, saying, “One thousand acres (per solar farm) limits production to 100 megawatts of electricity. Small projects (of 100 megawatts) are more expensive. This (cap) will eliminate Greene County for future projects.”
Muir was not deterred. “The 1,000 acre cap is not negotiable,” he said. “We’re comfortable with that.”
Lasch countered with the idea that the cap could apply to only the solar equipment, called an “array,” and not to the required buffers.
“We could have that discussion,” Muir said.
Lasch spoke of adding commercial and industrial districts as possible areas for solar development. She said “solar gardens of 10-50 acres” might be a possibility “if Iowa adopts legislation (permitting it.)”
Lasch addressed NGR’s objection to the set back distances proposed in the Greene County zoning ordinance.
“We would want set-backs scaled back quite a bit,” she said. “The lay of the land and landscaping will affect setbacks.”
Lasch also recommended 300 feet setback from buildings instead of 500 feet and reductions to setbacks from property lines, dwelling units, wildlife management areas, and cemeteries.
County treasurer Katlynn Mechaelsen, who lives near the proposed solar project, spoke about electromagnetic field sensitivity concerns, glare from the solar panels, and fire hazards. According to Mechaelsen, Iowa is 22nd in the U.S. for lightning strikes. She said she’s concerned about “the general welfare of people around the solar panels.”
“They have no choice,” she said, citing visual concerns.
Lasch said the panels are coated for anti-glare and are grounded. She said inverters are in the middle of the array and that voltages are similar to electrical lines.
“There are technicians on-site and also watching solar arrays remotely,” she said. “We train and work with EMS services for things like electrical fires. It’s in our interests to mitigate risks.”
“It’s important we protect homes,” Muir said.
Supervisor Dawn Rudolph said the effect on tax values is still unclear.
Tim Bardole, landowner and brother of supervisor Pete Bardole, told the board he has an agreement with NGR and supports smaller setback distances.
Bardole said using his land for a solar farm is a way to pay down debt and allow his son to farm.
Mary Ellen Holz asked about substation distances and setbacks.
Earlier, Lasch had recommended changes in the draft zoning ordinance to include the definition of solar utility as having “components” and including substations.
“My biggest fear is for the future (regarding substations,)” Holz said.
The board discussed similarities between a solar farm and a confined animal operation, comparing the visual impact of a solar farm with the smell of a CAFO.
“Smell can possibly affect health,” Muir said.
“Solar farms can hide (visual impact of the panels) with landscaping,” supervisor Rudolph said.
According to supervisor Tom Contner, “Farmers can do what they want (with their land.)”
“By Code, we can’t say no to solar,” Muir said.
County attorney Thomas Laehn told the board there is an emergency plan (for solar farm events) in the proposed zoning ordinance.
Laehn suggested extending the moratorium on solar farms for several weeks. The moratorium is set to expire at noon Sept. 26.
Two supervisors set a meeting with Laehn for Thursday, Sept. 1, at 9 am to discuss a new draft of the zoning ordinance.
“Our goal is to get this right,” Muir said.
In other business, Laehn updated the supervisors on re-codification of ordinances and suggested a change to the Vicious Animal Ordinance.
Instead of the current wording which requires an appeal of the board of supervisors’ decision to have an animal euthanized within 7 days of the animal-owner’s receipt of the written decision, Laehn suggests the animal-owner’s appeal must be made within 10 days of the mailing of the supervisors’ decision.
“An animal owner could refuse receipt of the board’s decision (as the ordinance is currently written) and delay the process,” Laehn said.
Laehn also mentioned possible changes in flood plain management ordinances.
A date for public hearing to start the approval process of the recodification of county ordinances was discussed but no action was taken. The board will wait until a new draft of the zoning ordinance for utility scale solar energy systems is available.
Engineer Wade Weiss spoke about deterioration in roads caused by the construction of wind turbines in the northeast part of the county. He said work needs to start soon on County Road P-46.
“It’s the Dana pavement and Spring Lake pavement, an 11-mile estimated distance,” he said.
Weiss asked the supervisors if TIF (tax increment financing) could be used for this.
Weiss also told the board the controller used to play the bells at Mahanay Memorial Carillon Tower is not working and is out of warranty. It was sent to the company which charges $260 “to look at it.”
Weiss said Mahanay Maestros had recorded bell music and it is hoped the music can be recovered.
Weiss also said Chris Durlam is looking into lighting to enhance the exterior of the tower.
In a three to one vote, the board approved a request by the city of Jefferson for abatements of tax due in 2021 on four properties. These are: the site of the new animal shelter in the business park on north Highway 4 ($300); two contiguous lots on East Perry St. ($112); and a lot on North Wilson with a three-story apartment house ($3822.)
Total tax abatement is $4234.00. Supervisors Burkett, Muir, and Rudolph voted to approve and supervisor Tom Contner voted against. Supervisor Bardole was absent.
