The Area Plan Commission met on August 6th. Meeting minutes from the July 2, 2025 meeting were approved. President Todd Mauer announced that the two petitions that were on the agenda would not be heard this evening due to a clerical issue in the mailings. The commission then adjourned the meeting.________________________________________________________________________________
The Board of Zoning Appeals began their meeting with the approval of their June 4, 2025 meeting minutes. The only petition on the agenda was BZA Petition 2024-8 – Geenex Solar / Cobia Solar requesting a “Special Exception” for construction of a commercial solar energy facility. The request falls under Decatur County Ordinance Article 20.
Attorney Jason Kuchmay representing 226 property owners and the Decatur County Citizens Stop Industrial Solar & Wind organization spoke first during the public comment period. He stated that the project does not meet the requirements to be granted a special exception. He reminded the board that they had already voted unanimously to deny the Greensburg Solar project last year and that this outcome should be no different.
Following Mr. Kuchmay’s statements 11 citizens stood to speak with 9 being in opposition to the project and 2 being in favor during the public comment period.
After a brief break in the meeting the board allowed Geenex Solar representatives to provide their rebuttal to the public comments. During that time attendees heard from Wayne Delong, Developer, Donny de Castro, VP of Development, Matt Neumann, Attorney, Brianna Schroeder, Attorney representing the landowners of the project, and a property owner.
After board members were able to ask their questions of the petitioner, they made a motion to vote on this special request. They added several contingencies to the vote in the event it would pass. The board took a second to thank the public and the petitioner for remaining professional and working with the county throughout this entire process.
The final vote for the project was to unanimously deny the petitioner for the special exception.
Property of 1330 WTRE