Solar farm land use ordinance approved

After weeks of discussion the Jefferson County Commission approved the second reading of a re-worked land use ordinance that will establish guidelines to reduce the visibility and therefore the impact on property values near new solar farms.

The guidelines addressing anti-glare materials, establishing minimum lot sizes, reducing light pollution and requiring decommission plans were accepted after the first reading, however county commissioners have spent more time discussing the appropriate set back distances.

In June commissioners considered reducing setbacks listed from 250 feet to 100 feet from property lines.

During the July work session commissioners discussed making changes establishing a 100-foot setback buffer zone that would screen such a solar project’s facilities from all surrounding properties. The commissioners asked that the setback be increased to 300 feet from any existing residential structures on surrounding properties. But since there was not a unanimous vote on this change, the issue could not be placed on the consent agenda for the July regular meeting and was therefore discussed separately.

The second reading of the ordinance was approved 4 to 1 at the July 9 commissioners meeting.

Jefferson County farmer Daniel Newberry addressed the commission and thanked them for shortening the setback from 250 feet to 100 feet. He called the change in the ordinance a “step in the right direction.”

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Solar farm land use ordinance approved