Special Use Committee Meeting Held

A Special Use Committee meeting between the Fayette County Board and the Vandalia City Council was held at the City Hall on Monday, July 22 at 4 p.m. for the purpose of discussing issues of solar and zoning and an update on the former Evans Public Library building. Surprisingly, there were only five residents attending, three of which spoke. A 14 page draft of an Ordinance amending the Vandalia Zoning Code at Section 17.06.140 was handed out. This covered the requirements to erect, construct, install, or maintain a Small Solar Energy System, including “adequate roof access…allowed for emergency personnel”, cautionary labels, and dimensions. Included was an item stating, “Reflection angles from Solar Collection surfaces shall be oriented away from residential buildings.” Dimensions and placement of these residential panels was also outlined. Mayor Ricky Gottman added that a pole mounted panel was something new. Attorney for the City Ryan Connor said that these models could not exceed 22’ in height.
General requirements for Large Solar Energy Systems were discussed, including being surrounded by an eight foot fence, located on not less than ten acres, requiring a “buffer” layer, and a Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool report regarding any airport.
Kadi Ledbetter, who had spoken at a previous Fayette County Board meeting about building her dream home but that every window she looked out she saw the solar panels, spoke at this Special Use Committee meeting. She suggested that they (Fayette County and City of Vandalia) should concern themselves with the citizens’ needs first. Gottman stated that “Neighbors on all four sides of the (solar) farm should be aware” of any impending solar project.
Updates on the former Evans Public Library building included some unexpected tile floor removal and the replacement of the air conditioner.
More on the solar issue will be addressed at the City Zoning Board meeting to be held Monday, August 5 at the City Hall. The public is invited.