County commissioners to hold public hearing on potential solar farm ordinance
Zach Petroff | For the Washington-Observer On Thursday, Fayette County commissioners are holding a public hearing to hear input on a proposed ordinance that would regulate solar farms in the county.
On Thursday, Fayette County commissioners are holding a public hearing to hear input on a proposed ordinance that would regulate solar farms in the county.
A public hearing for a proposed solar farm ordinance will be held on Thursday, at 1:45 in the Gallatin Building in downtown Uniontown.
The proposed ordinance sets restrictions on where solar farms can be placed. It would require a special exception for a solar facility to be built in areas zones light or heavy industrial areas.
“We won’t be making any decisions at the meeting but we’re just trying to get public input,” said Commissioner Vince Vicites.
The ordinance also requires certain standards for the design, installation and decommissioning of solar farms.
Commissioner Scott Dunn said Monday that the hearing is an opportunity for people to voice their concerns about solar farms and offer their thoughts on the proposed ordinance.
“People are upset that solar farms are proposed in areas that they deem should not have solar farms,” Dunn said. “At the same time we recognize that there are places in Fayette County that might be perfect for solar farms.”
Residents of Georges Township are awaiting a decision from the county’s zoning hearing board about whether an 88-acre solar farm can be built near about 30 homes and Albert Gallatin Area High School. A hearing on the request spanned several days and was attended by many who objected to the solar farm.
On the other side, two solar farms recently opened in Fayette – one in Dunbar Township and the other in Lake Lynn.
Dunn said that the reason so many solar companies have taken an interest in the county is because of federally backed incentivized tax breaks for solar farms.
“There are additional tax credits from the IRS that make Fayette County … very lucrative for solar power,” he said. “That is why we have to do this. Two years ago we never had this much interest in solar farms.”
If passed, the ordinance would impact 31 of the county’s 42 municipalities. The cities of Connellsville and Uniontown; Perryopolis and Ohiopyle boroughs; and Henry Clay, Menallen, South Union, Springhill, Stewart, Washington and Wharton townships each have individual boards that govern zoning in their respective municipalities.
Dunn said those who are unable to attend the meeting but would like to comment can email him at sdunn@fatettepa.org.