Putnam County Plan Commission to take up solar farm rezoning

If the signs up and down U.S. 231 in Cloverdale are any indicator, it could be a packed, vocal room Thursday night when the Putnam County Plan Commission will hold a special meeting at the Putnam County Fairgrounds. 

The meeting, which is slated for 6:30 p.m., will center around the proposed rezoning of 2,000 acres in Cloverdale and Jefferson townships to allow for a solar farm. Those in attendance will have an opportunity to hear from the petitioner who has proposed the farm, as well as have their voices heard by the Plan Commission, who is also slated to ask questions of the petitioner. 

Following the public discussion, the Plan Commision will take the matter up and will either recommend or deny approval to the Putnam County Commissioners or table it for further discussion at a later time. 

Karin Fidler is one resident who is against the idea of the solar farm. 

"Beyond the loss of agriculture, this project will negatively affect surrounding homeowners with reduced property values, drainage issues and a permanent change to the rural character of our community. The benefits, meanwhile, are short lived and mostly flow out of state, not back into Putnam County," Fidler told The Putnam County Post.

Cathy Arnold is also opposed to the notion of a solar farm in Cloverdale, citing she is part of a generational farming family with property in Putnam, Owen and Morgan counties. 

"I honestly can't begin to say if any money will come to our community from the solar project. From reports and applications, it seems highly unlikely at the amounts being publicized. If money does come to Cloverdale, it is coming at a high cost," Arnold said. 

Fidler said she has several concerns with the project, including Cloverdale's well head, property values, flooding, decommissioning and payments being made to the PCCF, the owner having a say in where money goes and a potential loss of students due to families moving. 

For Arnold, a 250 foot setback from a dwelling is something she believes should "terrify" residents. 

"Measure that out from your front porch or back deck and now envision a high barbed wire fence and solar panels humming as far as you can see," she said. 

This is not the first time a potential solar farm has been mentioned in the county, something that is not lost on Fidler. 

"Solar was voted down in Russellville, and now the push has shifted to Cloverdale. I believe part of the reason is that it is simpler to work with one large landowner under a single lease. If the company was looking for "acres," this spot makes sense. Another factor is the existing power lines in the area, which make the location more appealing to them. Either way, it doesn't seem like the neighbors or the community are being considered," Fidler said. 

Arnold believes the land in question has a better purpose.

"The land that feeds America should never be sacrificed. There is no such thing as a solar farm. It is a waste of one of our most precious resources, our land," Arnold said.