For the last several months, the Parke County Commissioners have kicked around the idea of a solar farm ordinance and have gathered plenty of input from citizens.
According to Commissioner Jim Meece, the decision to act stems from several requests for solar farms, along with the fact the county can no longer extend its moratorium on solar farms.
"Over the last couple of years, I have compiled ordinances from other counties that have been either very restrictive or very opening. In that middle ground has to be somewhere for us. I put together an ordinance largely from Tippecanoe County. I distributed a draft for the other Commissioners to look at, as well as anyone who comes to a Commissioners meeting," Meece told The Parke County Post.
Under the proposed ordinance, 6,000 acres in Parke County could be used for solar farms. The panels must be 36 inches off the ground, allowing room for sheep to graze and cannot exceed 16 feet in height.
In addition, the ordinance includes setbacks ranging from 500 to 1,500 feet, depending on how many sides of a property are impacted by a solar farm.
"The idea is not to surround my house with solar panels on all sides, and if it is, then those pieces of equipment need to be so far back that I don't hear anything," Meece said.
Should issues arise, the Parke County Board of Zoning Appeals would handle enforcement.
The Parke County Commissioners are expected to adopt the ordinance at the Aug. 17 meeting.
Indiana state forests to offer open houses
Driver injured in Friday crash into a tree
Benefit ride for Alisha Reynolds on October 24
Former Roachdale Town Marshal sentenced to probation
Indiana Farm Bureau Insurance announces 2027 summer internship program
Read your FEMA letter carefully
Road closure to impact U.S. 36 in Parke and Putnam counties
South Vermillion to honor fallen mom all season
BMV branches closed for Labor Day weekend
New traffic pattern to impact State Road 63 near Newport
Riddell National Bank makes new scoreboard reality for Parke Heritage
Riverton Parke to remember fallen player
Rockville man arrested after setting fires
Governor Braun delivers another month of gas savings for Hoosier families
Find a cooling center near you with Indiana 211
2026 Indiana State Fair celebrates Hoosier spirit, summer fun and memories made
State health officials and emergency healthcare providers agree to discontinue routine hospital diversion
Heat Advisory in effect through Thursday evening
