The discussion Oriden and the Dogwood community continued Tuesday morning, when Christian County Fiscal Court — on a motion from Jerry Gilliam — unanimously moved for Judge-Executive Steve Tribble to notify the body if a certificate of construction comes to his office.
Gilliam’s option arrived after County Attorney John Soyars, Third District Senator and Dogwood civilian Whitney Westerfield and noted agriculturist Wayne Hunt all spoke on behalf of a crafted setback ordinance — that’s due for its first reading November 10.
Soyars said he’s met with Community Development Services, community members, Logan County authorities, Westerfield himself and a reference Hopkinsville’s own solar panel setbacks in order to carefully draft this ordinance.
He added there’s also another way locals can get involved with the potential of solar farms arriving in the county.
As a Dogwood resident, Westerfield said he was very pleased with the both the court and Soyars’ progress on the ordinance, and he wanted to put on the record his belief in solar energy and diversifying, his belief in personal property and the protecting of it, and his belief in landowners doing what’s best for them.
However, it’s when landowners and businesses infringe on others where Westerfield, and many in the Dogwood community, take issue.
Westerfield said the up-and-coming ordinance for the county already has a great shape, and he didn’t understand why it wasn’t on the agenda Tuesday morning.
Hunt said he’ll more than continue his use of solar installations in both private and public settings, but again doesn’t want the fertile, arable lands of Christian County supplanted by large solar installations — that often take away from the rich farming community.
He thinks what’s been drafted for first reading is great work.
Magistrates also heard a considerable update from HES and PRECC officials on the inner workings of the fiber network being expanded in south western Kentucky, approved an industrial revenue bond for Jennie Stuart Health, approved early voting election officers for the county, and addressed a trio of resolutions regarding the Delta Regional Authority, an illegal open dump remediation grant and a state/local cybersecurity grant program.
