While the Swallowtail commercial solar energy system was denied a conditional use approval last month from a zoning board, the parent company of the proposed development isn’t ready to throw in the towel.
On July 22, the Bartholomew County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) held an almost five-hour meeting and public hearing before voting 3-1 against a conditional use permit for the 200-megawatt commercial solar energy system in Clay and Flat Rock townships.
If the BZA had given its approval, the solar installation would have been roughly bordered by county roads 500E to the west, 275N to the south, 650E to the east and parts of 400N to the north.
When parent company Arevon Energy was asked if they have given up on Bartholomew County, project manager Jemma King emphasized the company isn’t prepared to call it quits.
“We still believe the Swallowtail Solar project is a good fit for Bartholomew County and are considering options for the project’s future,” King said. “
After the BZA denied a similar proposal from Carina Solar LLC in February, two lawsuits were filed in Bartholomew Circuit Court. But on July 30, the litigation was dismissed by Special Judge Matthew Bailey.
During the five-hour-meeting last month, board member Eric Scheidt, a dairy and grain farmer, made the motion to deny Arevon’s request, citing a section of the county’s apprehensive plan and two policies that stress the protection of agricultural land over development.
Members Roger Glick and David Flohr also voted against the conditional use approval, while Arnold Haskell was the only BZA member who favored the development. A fifth member, Mike Speaker, did not vote after citing a conflict of interest.
In her correspondence, King emphasized that the Columbus/Bartholomew County Planning Department determined that Swallowtail met all zoning requirements and recommended approval.
“In addition, citizens across Bartholomew County have voiced support for the project and our landowner partners have made it clear that leasing their land for solar would preserve it for future agricultural use,” King stated.
As presented last month, Swallowtail would have built across 21 privately-owned properties whose owners agreed to lease their land for about 40 years. After the lease termination, it would be turned back into agricultural land.
The majority of the 150 people who attended the meeting at Columbus City Hall were opposed to the project while 15 spoke in favor.
Arevon Energy will make decisions about the Bartholomew County project in the coming months, King said.
