The BZA tabled action on the special exception request at its previous hearing in July to gather further information on health concerns, environmental and ecological impact of the proposed project – among the main issues raised by those opposing the solar enterprise. The discussion at Monday’s continued hearing was limited to those three issues, plus one additional – potential impact on property values – which the BZA agreed to include before the hearing began.

Many times during the public comment, BZA president Derrick Stalbaum had to remind speakers to stick to the four approved topics. Two speakers were removed from the hearing for failing to comply.

The impact of the solar project on property values was debated by many speakers, with several residents concerned their homes would be worth less, while others who have studied such impacts across the country argued that wind and solar projects have shown zero impact on land values. Health concerns raised included potential noise, and possible radiation and glare. But comments by local physician Dr. Dan Anderson reflected the feelings of others when he expressed his belief that solar energy is safer than many other energy options, adding that people are “exposed to more radiation from their cell phones” than a solar panel.

Concerns on potential impact to wildlife, including sandhill cranes, were debated, as were environmental issues with the land on which the panels will be built.

In the end, after considering public comment and research that had earlier been presented, the board members found the GEG application to be in order and approved the special exception, in accordance with the county’s zoning provisions. Approval came, however, with a list of additional conditions the BZA added regarding noise levels, residential property reimbursements, screening requirements and fencing, planting of perennials and pollinators, reimbursements to the county for third-party consultants, and cooperation with the area volunteer fire departments regarding their concerns.

Should they decide to do so, opponents of the solar project may appeal the BZA decision in court, progressing from the county to the state level.

Now the project has been green-lighted by the BZA, there remains a “laundry list” of state and federal requirements with which to comply as the developer begins the design and building process, including conditions to be met with the county’s plan commission and building department. Many of the concerns raised at Monday’s hearing will be addressed through this process.

Information on the economic impact of the project remains under study by the county’s financial advisors and will also be taken into consideration during the next steps of the process. Expectations are that the solar project will generate additional tax and other revenue for the county.

The number of landowners approached to lease land for the project has not yet been announced as preliminary contracts are being finalized. Exact acres have not been finally determined and will be adjusted when engineers begin the project design.

The clean energy project, to be known as Mammoth Solar, will produce one gigawatt (1,000 megawatts) of electricity and involve an estimated multi-million dollar investment by the developer. The company behind the project is Global Energy Generation LLC (GEG), which has offices in Chicago, Philadelphia and Tel Aviv.

The project will include acreage in both Pulaski and Starke counties. Company officials have said the land for the project in Pulaski County (mostly in Beaver, Jefferson and Rich Grove townships) may total as much as 4,500 acres.

No firm timeline has been given as to how soon the proposed project can be built and become operational. Pulaski County building inspector and zoning plan administrator Doug Hoover said in an interview last month project completion could be three years away, as GEG moves through the preliminary steps of environmental studies, meeting local government requirements and other regulatory steps and developing the engineering design plan.

The project will be located across a patchwork of large parcels generally located in two swaths of rural Pulaski County. The solar panel acreage will roughly follow the large electric transmission lines that cross the county.

Early on, the project will provide local construction jobs. Later there will be operational and maintenance jobs, among additional employment opportunities.

Pulaski County updated its zoning codes (Unified Development Ordinances) last year to include provision for commercial solar development. County officials note that there was no public opposition expressed at the numerous advisory plan commission meetings at that time to provisions for solar development.

Some of the discussion surrounding the project has become contentious, as seen at both BZA hearings, on social media, and in interactions with county officials. Some of the related county offices have reported received anonymous threats by mail and phone from those opposing the project. All threats have been forwarded to the county sheriff.