The Elizabethtown Town Council reviewed a proposed solar farm ordinance during the noon work session. The board is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the proposed solar farm ordinance during tonight’s meeting.
Planning Technician Billie Hall told the board the ordinance will keep designate the areas where a solar farm can be installed. She said the ordinance recognizes three levels of Solar Energy Systems. The ordinance notes the levels as follows:
*Level 1 would roof mounted systems, covering permanent parking lot, and building integrated solar;
*Level 2 would address ground mounted systems and are only allowed in Industrial District; and
*Level 3 solar systems are system that do not satisfy the parameters for Level 1 or Level 2 and are only allowed in the Industrial District.
Town Manager Eddie Madden told the board the significance of the public hearing and the ordinance is the fact the moratorium the board adopted expires this month. He told the board some action on the ordinance will have to be taken. “It is important we have something on the books after this meeting,” said Madden.
Councilman Ricky Leinwand said, “I spoke with the mayor of Whiteville and this (solar farms) is a big deal across the nation.”
Councilman Howell Clark said what bothered him about the proposed ordinance is the fact a property owner cannot put a ground mounted solar panel in their own yard.
Madden told the board that they can revisit the ordinance and make adjustments to it as needed once it is adopted. there was discussion regarding glare form solar panels and Madden said anything located within the 5 miles of airport must be approved by FAA. The board was told that Attorney Whitley Ward has reviewed the ordinance as well.
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