ORDINANCENO. 2025- 05

AN ORDINANCE IMPOSING A MORATORIUM ON FILING AND ACCEPTING ANY NEW APPLICATIONS FOR SOLAR ENERGY FACILITIES

WHEREAS, the Muncie Delaware County Metropolitan Plan Commission conducted several public hearings with respect to amendments to the zoning ordinance concerning solar farms in agricultural zones; and

WHEREAS, the County Plan Commission conducted a duly authorized, notice and debated public hearing concerning the proposed Zoning Ordinance amendment concerning the inclusion of solar farms in Agricultural zones; and

WHEREAS, the amendment was properly noticed, reviewed and a recommendation was made by the Plan Commission to adopt some changes to the zoning ordinance with respect to solar farms; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners received an amendment to the County Zoning Ordinance from the Plan Commission and made revisions to the initial proposal which were accepted by the Plan Commission and the amendment was adopted in 2024; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners have received other comments and concerns about incursion of potential solar farms in predominately residential areas that would require further study and review and additional amendments to the Zoning Ordinance; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners have been provided information as to issues and concepts to consider with regard to possible amendments to the current zoning ordinance regarding solar energy; and

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners believe that a continuation of the moratorium on the filing and acceptance of any new applications for solar energy facilities during this study period to discuss other possible amendments to submit to the Plan Commission for their consideration and conduct a public hearing for public input on those amendments.

NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF DELAWARE COUNTY, INDIANA, THAT:

  1. 1.
    A moratorium that was to expire on March 1, 2025 shall continue in place until such time as the County has completed additional amendments to the zoning ordinance regarding solar energy for the acceptance, review and filing of any application by any person, firm or entity seeking to place or install a solar farm on any property in Delaware County.
  2. 2.
    Nothing in this Moratorium shall prohibit any person, firm or entity to conduct discussions, negotiations, meetings or provide information about solar energy, any
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