Despite objections, solar farm moving forward

Jul. 23—GOSHEN — Benton Township is one step closer to a solar farm after a staunch critic voted against his better judgement to allow the project to continue to its trajectory.

The project is headed by Savion, on land owned by Bruce A. Showalter and Steven G. Showalter of Showalter Farms Inc., and the Robert Moser & Donna Moser Living Trust. There are about 35 homes near the property that would be affected.

On Monday, the Elkhart County Commissioners approve four agreements for the 850-acre project.

The decommissioning agreement, maintenance and operations, emergency operation plant, and road use agreements were the final steps in the approval process before the work could begin.

In September 2022, Elkhart County Commissioner Brad Rogers was outspoken about his concerns regarding the project. Back then, his vote against the plan was overridden by Commissioner Suzie Weirick and former Commissioner Frank Lucchese, but during Monday's meeting, Rogers voted in favor of the agreements allowing the project to move forward, while his counterpart and Lucchese's replacement on the board, Bob Barnes, voted against it.

In 2022, Rogers explained his stance, alleging specific concerns about emergency response plans, and even considered asking Savion to provide its own emergency response. He was also concerned about decommissioning and recyclability of the solar panels. His fellow commissioners said they would allow commissioners in the future to make that decision. The area was rezoned regardless of Roger's stance, pending the agreements that were finally approved on Monday.

In fact Roger's change in vote must have been an unexpected one, given that he wrote a statement that he read aloud during the meeting, explaining his logic.

"Savion did everything the commissioners asked them to do, particularly in the Emergency Response Plan, which was my greatest concern," he read from his statement, which he also published to his Facebook page.

Rogers wrote that he's voted no every step of the way.

"I am not particularly against solar in general nor against Savion specifically, particularly if someone wants solar on their private property for personal use, or in parking lots, or brownfields, or atop factories or buildings," he said. "But this particular project is a major solar utility, affecting many adjacent properties and homeowners. I also do not believe we know the future impact to the land, if we will have any problems with this utility, and if the solar owners are responsive to any of those issues."

He acknowledged, though, that despite his own objections, the commissioners as a whole "sent a clear signal to Savion that the property was rezoned and they may proceed.

"It would not be fair to any company for them to do the work in building this utility and then pull the rug out from them after the government said to proceed," he continued. "And particularly because Savion did the hard work of providing a good emergency response plan, which is often missing in solar projects in this nation, and they met the requirements of the other agreements, and in some cases have worked with property owners to mitigate the impact of the project either through undisclosed payments or accommodations, I am going to vote to allow this project to proceed."

Rogers also said that Elkhart County is "in a critical state of not having enough power for industry," and that while he doesn't trust the reliability of solar power, it's what's available and ready to be built now, and power will stay local, "so we might as well benefit from it.

Rogers also said other companies should take note though that he has no intentions of voting in favor of another large solar project any time soon.

"I think time will tell that this solar utility project will not be viewed as a great concept, maybe even a mistake, nor will this project or even more local large solar projects be the complete answer to our power problems in this county," he said.

With that, commissioners Weirick and Rogers voted in favor of the agreements, which will allow Savion to move forward with the solar power field in Benton, while Barnes voted against it.

OTHER BOARD ITEMS

—Commissioners received and opened bids for the 2024 crack seal program. This year 110 miles of roads will receive the treatment. Bids were accepted from K & B Asphalt Sealcoating Inc. of Adrian, Michigan, for $327,600; Scodeller Construction Inc., of Wixom, Michigan, for $459,199.80; and Evans Development Co., of Indianapolis, for $786,500; and National Industrial Maintenance Corp., of Dearborn, Michigan; for $794,000.

—Scott Smith was reappointed to the Bristol-Washington Township Library Board. Commissioner Rogers said Smith was the sole applicant for the position, which was posted on the commissioners' website. Smith is already a sitting board member and was appointed to serve another four years.

—Commissioners approved a grant renewal for the 2024-2025 Court Interpreter Grant Award through the Access to Justice Office at the Supreme Court for $17,457.99.

—They also approved a collaborative funding opportunity through the Community Foundation of Elkhart County for a K-9 for up to $25,000.

—Commissioners approved combined development ordinances for Wakarusa and Bristol. The ordinances are the same type that were approved for Millersburg and Middlebury in June. The ordinances are relevant primarily to developers, people looking to build on an existing property, or those seeking to rezone land.

Dani Messick is the education and entertainment reporter for The Goshen News. She can be reached at dani.messick@goshennews.com or at 574-538-2065.