The Dorr Township Planning Commission Tuesday evening decided to ask Professional Code Inspections to craft a workable ordinance proposal for local solar power.
The commission had worked on a proposed ordinance for a long time, but halted the project when it was learned that a state-wide ballot proposal was likely to be on the November 2024 ballot, suggesting the state take over the duties of handling requests for solar farms.
However, Commission Chairman Dan Beute reported that the effort to put the proposal on the November ballot failed because of a lack of enough signatures.
So commissioners Tuesday night asked PCI representative and zoning ordinance administrator Lori Castello to present what she called “a workable ordinance” to regulate solar power in the township. She said if an applicant was confronted with a workable ordinance and wasn’t satisfied with the township’s position, they could appeal to the state, but thereby save the township money buy not having to settle the issue in court.
It is certainly sad to see the thousands of acres of valuable farmland across the USA being swallowed up by solar panels. It would be pretty hard to feed your family with these glass panels………….Check out these solar farms after a hailstorm comes through………….
Cheers!!
So than if you oppoe solar farms that would produce energy and can still be used for agriculture use because it’s a shame to see good farmland going to waste.Then I’m curious to hear what your views are on when this happens town broadcast April .Approved a new mineral extraction ordinance by special use permit after receiving recommendation from the Planning Commission.
• Approved a request from Joe Kwiatkowski to rezone an 88-acre parcel at 146th Avenue and 22nd Street from agricultural to rural estates. So how many crops can come out of a neighborhood or a gravel pit?
FRWF
I believe something you may have overlooked is.
I am not sure these solar farms will bring tax revenue.
88 acres of housing has great ability to increase the coffers of the township, State, and Federal governments.
Most sand and aggregate operations are taxed at or above agricultural rates. When operations are terminated the property turns into housing with lake frontage.
Sand and gravel are important minerals that Infrastructure and building could not survive without.
Many times housing, and sand and aggregate operations make more sense , than solar or wind farms. Which to this point have not shown they can contribute enough revenue or energy.
Revenue generated by housing or sand and gravel operations will more than compensate for the loss of agriculture acreage . Especially, if that farm acreage is marginal.