Dearborn Co. Plan Commission Needs More Time Before Voting on Solar Rules Recommendation

The Plan Commission declined to vote on a recommendation after a heated debate on Thursday

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(Dearborn County, Ind.) - The Dearborn County Plan Commission held a public hearing on Thursday night regarding proposed amendments to the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance.

A vote on a recommendation for Dearborn County Commissioners was expected following public comments , but the Plan Commission instead voted to table the measure. The Plan Commission says they need more time to look over a few additional changes before making their vote. 

After back and forth on acreage caps, the plan commission landed on 500 acres for a project cap and 1,500 acres for the entirety of Dearborn County. 

A person that is currently under a lease with Linea Energy stated he wants all acreage caps completely removed, stating "by limiting land, you have effectively banned solar." 

The draft ordinance currently has a 150-foot setback. Some believe the setback should be closer to 600 feet due to the noise abatement. 

Other talking points included woodland protection, electromagnetic fields, property values and environmental soil and water testing. 

One plan commission member left before the conclusion of the meeting, stating that he will tell Linea "to sue the county if we do not give what they want." 

Once the Plan Commission makes a vote on recommendations for the Solar Ordinance it will go to County Commissioners and the Citizens Advisory Group to make whatever changes they see necessary. The ordinance will not return to the Plan Commission once it leaves them. 

In February, Dearborn County Commissioners unanimously voted to approve a one-year moratorium on processing applications for commercial solar farms, battery storage and data centers. The moratorium came after Linea Energy shared their plans to develop solar and battery storage on 1,000 acres in the Manchester area. Oppositions of solar and battery storage systems expressed their concern for the environment, fear of lower property values, and loss of an agricultural setting for homeowners, among other concerns.  

As the one-year moratorium end date nears, county officials have been reviewing proposed amendments that would amend Article 19 - Solar Energy Systems of the Dearborn County Zoning Ordinance. 

The proposed amendments establish processes, requirements, and development standards for Small Scale Solar Projects, Large-Scale Solar Projects, Community-Scale Solar Projects, and Utility-Scale Solar Projects.

You can view Thursday's special meeting (1120) plan commission special 11/12/2026 - YouTube