COLUMBUS, Ind. – The Bartholomew County Plan Commission has scheduled a discussion and a public hearing to consider amendments to the Bartholomew County Zoning Ordinance with regard to Commercial Solar Energy Systems (CSES). The proposed amendments apply to solar energy systems that capture solar energy for the primary purpose of wholesale sales of generated electricity and for use in locations other than where the electricity is generated. The proposed regulations do not apply to residential or other uses.
The Plan Commission will hold a discussion among its members and staff at its regularly scheduled June 8 meeting. No public comment will be taken during this discussion. A public hearing will then be held at its regularly scheduled July 13 meeting. The meetings will begin at 8:30 a.m. at Columbus City Hall. Attendees can also participate in the meetings virtually via WebEx video conference.
Any Plan Commission action on the proposed amendments will serve as a recommendation to the Bartholomew County Board of Commissioners, who will make the final decision. The Bartholomew County Zoning Ordinance, including the Commercial Solar Energy System (CSES) regulations, applies only to the unincorporated portions of Bartholomew County, excluding all incorporated cities and towns, such as Columbus, Edinburgh, Hope, Jonesville, Hartsville, Clifford, and Elizabethtown.
The public may view the proposed CSES Zoning Ordinance amendments on the Planning Department’s website. The material can also be viewed at the Planning Department office.