MANSFIELD — How do Richland County’s townships feel about wind farms and/or solar facilities in their communities?
That’s feedback Richland County commissioners will seek when a letter is sent Friday to trustees in the county’s 18 townships.
Locations throughout Richland County are considered “viable” for the development of “economically significant wind farms, large wind farms, and/or large solar facilities,” according to the letter.
Facility definitions
— Economically significant wind farm: wind turbines and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid and designed for, or capable of, operation at an aggregate capacity of five or more megawatts but less than fifty megawatts.
— Large wind farm: an electric generating plant that consists of wind turbines and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid that is a major utility facility.
— Large solar facility: an electric generating plant that consists of solar panels and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid that is a major utility facility.
According to Ohio Revised Code Section 303.58, commissioners are authorized in each of the state’s counties to adopt a resolution designating “all or part of the unincorporated area of the county as a restricted area.”
This type of resolution would prohibit the construction of any or all types of facilities in those areas designated as restricted.
“Are these facilities something your township opposes or supports?” the letter says.
If a township’s board of trustees supports the idea of development, then no action is necessary on its behalf.
Any proposed wind or solar facilities that would file an application with the Ohio Power Siting Board would be considered on a “case-by-case” basis by the township in consideration, as well as commissioners.
For townships which oppose
If a board of trustees opposes possible development of these facilities in its township — and wants to have the township (or part of thereof) designated as a prohibited area — then commissioners are asking it adopt a resolution.
Townships may also choose to prohibit specifically wind and not solar, and vice versa.
A template resolution will be included with the letter sent Friday to Richland County townships. It requests commissioners take “restrictive action” on the township’s behalf.
“If your board opposes these facilities, please act promptly as delay or declining to adopt the resolution may increase the likelihood of the development of these facilities in your township in the future,” the letter said.
Any board of trustees intending to request commissioners designate its township, or a portion thereof, as a restricted area are requested to submit a copy of its adopted resolution on or before April 30.
Commissioners prepared to ‘respect townships’ wishes’
Some of Richland County’s 18 townships include both incorporated and unincorporated territories.
Richland County administrator Andrew Keller said any resolution(s) commissioners may adopt would only apply to those unincorporated areas of the township.
Commissioner Tony Vero said some townships are completely non-zoned.
“Our (the county’s) unincorporated areas are where our rural parts of the county are and land owners’ rights is imperative,” he said. “That’s one of the Farm Bureau’s key principles, is land owners should have a right to do what they want with their land, within reason obviously.
“Conversely though, there are certainly some drawbacks with these large projects, so that’s why the law came into existence to begin with,” Vero said.
John McCarron, Franklin Township trustee and president of the Richland County Township Association, joined Thursday’s discussion, as well as Madison Township Trustee Dan Fletcher.
McCarron said he understands rules and regulations are necessary in respect to development of facilities.
“But to limit an individual from that opportunity on their property, to me would be wrong,” he said. “I know that’s a slippery slope. You just got to be careful what you’re doing because very soon, your property rights are infringed on.
“As long as individuals or townships have the ability to make those decisions, I don’t see an issue with moving forward with a letter,” McCarron said.
In response, Vero said commissioners did not feel comfortable making “blanket decisions” without seeking feedback and input from townships.
