28 June 2021 Dearborn County Plan Commission Meeting Notes
Present: Dennis Kraus, Jr., Chairman, Russell Beiersdorfer, John Hawley, Mark Lehman, Jake Hoog, Jim Thatcher. Joe Vogel arrived at 8:15 PM after the Solar Energy discussion ended.
ABSENT: Eric Lang, and Dan Lansing
Also Present: Mark McCormack, Plan Director, Nicole Daily, Zoning Administrator, and Andy Baudendistel, Attorney.
Baudendistel read the Title VI statement as legally required.
ACTION ON MINUTES: Feb 22 minutes approved.
OLD BUSINESS: none
NEW BUSINESS: none
ADMINISTRATIVE: To review and discuss proposed ordinance amendments to the Dearborn County Zoning and Subdivision Control Ordinance, and to discuss other administrative items including updates related to Planning and Zoning staff activities and projects
McCormack presented the Draft text for article 19 on Solar Energy Systems. It has been on the website as well. Purpose and Intent section was revised to be consistent with the sections of the code.
Definitions were added to on the solar energy systems from the end of the article They have small. medium, and large so that they can have fees that relate to the size of the solar farm. small is 2 acres or less, medium is 2-20 acres, and large is greater than 20 acres.
Solar energy systems are SES A and SES C. A stands for Accessory ones and C is for Commercial.
Changed the distances from SES participating homes from the site. Discussion on the fencing types such as high tensile and heights like 6 ft that are wildlife friendly by leaving openings at bottom for small animals. Buffer yards of natural vegetation to reduce the view from non- participating residential uses, also for road frontage area where the non- participator is across the road. These areas should be held to similar standards as for storage areas.
Noise portion was addressed for the panels and substations. They want to manage the noise level from 40 to 55 decibels depending on a quiet rural area ( 40) versus a quiet urban area ( 55) for example. This is for a sustained level noise.
Safety and security plan has to be submitted for emergency service providers. They may have to provide necessary training services to the local emergency service providers. Financial guarantee includes a 20% contingency for unforeseen expenses.
There is an expert funding in regard to the application into an escrow account. Also have bonds to be sure things are maintained.
Thatcher noted that there is potential revenue to the county from these sites. McCormack to check on this and economic development agreements.
This will be discussed further at the July meeting before it goes to the county commissioners.
McCormack has the legal ad in the local paper for the workshops for Tuesday July 20th from noon-2 on LHS gym and the 2nd one is in the evening in St Leon Legion Post 464 from 6-8 PM. The maps are on the planning website home page on the county website. The facilities are not charging the county. They will discuss the results at the July meeting after the workshops. He will also get it to the Beacon which comes out after this and Eagle radio and WRBI for the northern part of the county.
Meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM
Christine Brauer Mueller
Lawrenceburg Township
