ROTE — The Lamar Township Board of Supervisors had a lengthy discussion at their monthly board meeting regarding a new solar ordinance #2024-01.

The township didn’t previously have an ordinance and it was suggested by their solicitor they draft one. The supervisors took direction from ordinances in other townships on how to write theirs.

Supervisor Dan Chappell noted they spoke to residents in passing about their opinion on solar energy.

There are two types of solar power — Principal Solar Energy Systems (PSES) and Accessory Solar Energy Systems (ASES).

“We took about five and combined them into one. Most of them are pretty standard. What’s going to be the issue with our ordinance is we said you can do principal, ground-mounted solar systems and highway interchange and light industrial. No AG. However you can put a principal system on any building’s roofs. Some people aren’t happy about it… That seemed to be the general consensus,” said Chappell.

Chairman Wade Vonada said residents can still apply for a permit and hearing to see if they can do it for AG, but everything would be based on a variance.

“Come have a hearing and the public can chime in,” said Vonada.

Tibben Zerby, a Civil Engineer with Century Engineering, and Leo Cox, a Development Manager with Sunshare Community Solar, attended the meeting to answer any questions regarding solar energy the supervisors or public may have, and to help clarify the ordinance.

“One of the things (Lamar Township) has going for (them) in terms of a natural limitation on solar development is just how much land there is, and the condition of the grid here,” said Cox.

Zerby asked for clarification on the variance process, as the terminology is not explicitly laid out in the ordinance. The ordinance is running under the assumption that you can request whatever you’d like, but you’re not guaranteed acceptance.

The major concern residents and officials seem to have is preservation of farmland and overwhelming the grid.

“I think we can evolve,” said Chappell. “It just seems to be the general consensus of the residents that we’ve talked to, I don’t think it’s highly wanted. It’s okay to relax a little bit — there’s lots of places doing it. When people talk about wanting to protect the farmland, I think we’re doing an okay service for it.”

“Change is scary, and that’s a part of (this,)” said Cox.

The ordinance was unanimously approved by the supervisors, but they pointed out they would be open to discussing amendments with their solicitor in the future.