MANSFIELD — More than half of Richland County’s townships have responded to county commissioners’ request for feedback regarding wind and solar projects.
As of Thursday morning, Commissioner Darrell Banks said 11 of the county’s 18 townships responded that they want to restrict development of wind farms and/or solar facilities in their unincorporated areas.
Those townships include Plymouth, Bloominggrove, Sharon, Jackson, Franklin, Weller, Mifflin, Monroe, Troy, Perry and Jefferson townships.
Commissioners sent a letter to all 18 townships Feb. 7 soliciting feedback and/or official action on wind and solar.
No action was necessary in response to the letter for townships supportive of the development of these facilities. 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.
If a township’s board of trustees opposes significant and large wind farms and/or solar facilities in their community, a sample resolution was provided for the board to adopt — requesting commissioners take restrictive action on behalf of the township.
Townships may also choose to prohibit specifically wind and not solar, and vice versa.
On Thursday, commissioners authorized advertising for a wind and solar meeting, which is set for July 17 at 9:30 a.m. The three-member board meets at 50 Park Ave. E. in Mansfield.
Pros and cons
Locations throughout Richland County are considered “viable” for development of “economically significant wind farms, large wind farms, and/or large solar facilities,” according to the letter from commissioners.
Ohio Revised Code Section 303.58 authorizes commissioners 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.
In February, Commissioner Tony Vero said unincorporated areas are where most of the county’s rural areas are and land owners’ rights are imperative.
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.
“Conversely though, there are certainly some drawbacks with these large projects, so that’s why the law came into existence to begin with,” he said previously.
John McCarron, Franklin Township trustee and president of the Richland County Township Association, also offered thoughts during the Feb. 6 meeting. He 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,” McCarron said in February. “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,” he previously told commissioners.
In response, Vero told McCarron commissioners did not feel comfortable making “blanket decisions” without seeking feedback and input from the townships.