The Macomb Planning Commission voted 5 to 2 last week to recommend a special use ordinance to allow a large-scale solar farm 1.4 miles west of Highway 67. The 21-acre site is part of a larger tract of farmland owned by Tim and Kimberly Bengtson. The remainder of the property would continue to be farmed.
Ginger Solar is the special use applicant. The solar farm is being developed by Cultivate Power. Attorney Ben Jacoby spoke on behalf of Ginger Solar. He said the solar farm is planned to be in place for 40 years and then would be converted back to farmland. Jacoby said total tax revenue over the life of the project would be $539,973. 'In addition to the tax benefits, construction would generate significant jobs,' he said. The attorney said solar subscribers would get a 10 to 15 percent power discount.
Tessa Cannon, lead developer for Cultivate Power, said 70,000 panels would be placed in the solar farm. She said Ginger Solar is willing to move the panels back 300 feet at the request of neighbors. Development associate Angela Ferry said local landscapers would be hired as necessary to keep up required vegetation. Jerry Brookhart, who is developing residential homes to the south, asked that the vegetation be grown to a height to block homeowners' view of the solar farm.
Nat Young, who farms the remainder of the Bengtson property, said the water drainage plan for the west side of the solar farm should be reviewed. The final commission recommendation to the Macomb City Council for adoption of the special use contained three conditions: a review of drainage studies, location of shielding vegetation, and relocation of 300 solar panels from the north to the south of the property. Commission Chairman Jim Buick and Commissioner Ed Myers voted against the special use recommendation.
In other business, Community Development Director Miranda Lambert asked the planning commission to consider merging with the Macomb Zoning Board of Appeals. Commissioners Jim Miner and Ed Myers said they were in favor of studying the proposal. Commissioner John Bannon said, 'You could streamline a few things.'
