A week after a motion for a special exception was denied, it is back to the drawing board for the Cold Spring Solar Farm proposed project.
For almost a year and a half, officials with Tenaska and Arevon have worked to bring a 200-megawatt solar farm to 1,400 acres of farmland in Russell Township in Putnam County.
The proposed solar farm has received a tax abatement from the county council, a $6 million economic development agreement with the commissioners, and Tenaska and Arevon officials have said the Cold Spring Solar Farm would have numerous economic benefits, including more than $40 million paid in taxes, as well as 214 direct jobs.
But, all that has come to a screeching halt following a recent vote by the Putnam County Board of Zoning Appeals, who denied a motion to approve a special exception for the proposed development by a vote of 4-1.
As a result, there are two avenues for Cold Spring Solar Farm to take. Officials can wait six months and apply to the BZA again or take the matter to court.
Nick Gentry, spokesman for Cold Spring Solar Farm, told The Putnam County Post all options are being looked at to move the plan forward.
"We believe Cold Spring Solar would create major benefits for Putnam County and are still interested in moving the project forward. We will make a decision on the next steps for the project soon," Gentry said.
According to Jeffrey Lee, director of community relations for Arevon Energy, landowners in Putnam County chose to lease land to host the project and it was designed to meet the stringent requirements of Putnam County's solar ordinance.
"The Cold Spring Solar project would occupy less than one percent of the agricultural land in Putnam County, while creating more than 300 construction jobs and delivering an impressive $6.3 million in economic development payments to the county. Over the course of the project's lifetime, Cold Spring Solar will contribute approximately $75 million in tax revenue to the community," he said.
Lee said Cold Spring Solar has been "actively engaged with the community" throughout its development process and has provided a dedication to transparency and open dialogue through the establishment of a local office, support for events in the community and an informational open house.
"The Cold Spring Solar team addressed questions from the public and provided detailed studies and technical information to demonstrate that Cold Spring Solar would be safe, reliable and a good neighbor to the community," Lee said.
Furthermore, Lee pointed out Putnam County Planning Director Lisa Zeiner recommended approval to the Board of Zoning Appeals.
"We believe that landowners have the right to use their private property as they see fit and that the local government should not infringe on those rights. We are disappointed in the recent decision by the Board of Zoning Appeals and are looking at all options to continue moving Cold Spring Solar forward, enhancing the prosperity and sustainability of Putnam County," Lee said.
