- Fayette Township Planning Commission accepted a proposal for a new industrial-scale solar power project on the East side of the Township, but postponed the planned meeting due to lack of space to accommodate the larger-than-expected turnout.
- Some neighbors say they wish for more transparency about the proposal, citing lack of information.
- Others object to the potential impact on the rural environment.
- Representatives of Ranger Power — the company behind the existing Heartwood project and the proposed new "Heartwood 2" — say they want to hear neighbors' concerns, are already giving back to local communities, and that the projects will generate milions in tax revenues.
An overflow crowd in Jonesville at the Fayette Township Planning Commission meeting Monday evening to consider a new solar project for the east side of the township.
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Due to the unexpectedly large turnout, the meeting was over before it started — postponed by the Commission due to lack of space. The larger-than-expected turnout — a response to a new proposal from Ranger Power — the company behind the Heartwood solar project on the West side of the Township.
"I've lived my life to live out here and retire and I don't want to look at solar panel fields", says Fayette neighbor Dennis Rhoniy. He says he came here after retirement to get away from it all. "I had put all my investments in land so I could hunt and be free and have some elbow room".
Other neighbors are concerned about what they say is a lack of information. "This is not about a property rights battle. This is about transparency," says Fayette neighbor Steve Oleszkowicz.
Oleszkowicz started the website nosolarfayette.com. "The transparency has been less than desired. The public notice has been the minimum necessary," he says.
The company behind the project is Ranger Power. Development Manager Brady Friss says he came to Monday's meeting to hear neighbors' concerns:
"That's what we're here to do is to hear feedback from the community, be good neighbors. We want to work in tandem with the community, hear feedback, and also be a resource to answer any questions that they may have."
Solar panels are already going in across the Western side of Fayette Township. The proposed new project, says Friss, would see about 1000 acres covered in solar panels on the East side of the Township.
Friss says Ranger Power is already donating thousands to local communities, and the two projects together will mean millions in tax revenues over the life of the project.
With the proposal submitted to the Planning Commission, the Commission will now have to find a bigger room to accommodate the neighbors wanting to have a say.
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