The Adair County Board of Supervisors will continue Wednesday, with discussions they’ve held in previous meetings the past couple of months, with regard to a Solar Panel Ordinance. In past meetings, some rural residents voiced their concerns and objections over proposed plans by MidAmerican Energy to take more land out of production, in favor of large solar farms. The Board’s meeting begins at 9-a.m.

At around 9:30-a.m., Wednesday (April 14), the Adair County Supervisors will hear from County Attorney Melissa Larson. Members of the public will be allowed to attend in person in the courtroom at the Adair County Courthouse, but officials note in-person attendance will be limited to 21 people, in order to allow for social distancing. If you plan on attending, please wear a mask. The conference phone will still be available for those to cannot attend in person. It can be accessed by call (605)-313-6157, and when prompted, enter code 526272#.

The supervisors discussed at length during their last meeting on March 31st, what would be appropriate for allowing such industrial-sized solar development in the county. After considering ordinances other counties have and discussing what their options are, and considering that rural parts of Adair County are not zoned, the supervisors decided to draw up an ordinance restricting solar panels to be 500 feet or more from any dwelling, regardless of project participation; 500 feet from a property lie of a parcel less than 10 acres of a non-participant; 250 feet from the property line of a larger non-participating parcel; 50 feet from a road right-of-way; and a radius of 150 feet from a road right-of-way at intersections from the center of the road. The supervisors would also like panels to have native grasses or other manageable vegetation under them and for there to be a decommissioning plan developed.

The Board will also receive a report from Weed Commissioner Nathan Jensen, with regard to Noxious Weed Notices, and County Engineer Nick Kauffman, who will talk about a new hire, a concrete box culvert project for W20 Jackson Road, as well as a “No Spray” agreement for the City of Fontanelle’s Well site, and other matters.