The Fayette Township Planning Commission has voted to send a new ordinance governing renewable energy installations to Hillsdale County officials for review.
The Planning Commission reviewed and revised a draft of a Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO) during a public hearing on Monday night.
The CREO is designed to be used as a “road map” for developers. It includes specific protections, such as mandatory setbacks and noise level control.
Seth Koches is a Kalamazoo-area attorney who specializes in township law. He was hired by Fayette Township to guide the process of implementing a CREO.
He told those in attendance at Monday’s meeting that without a local ordinance, the decisions regarding renewable energy installations would be taken over by the Michigan Public Service Commission.
Changes to the draft ordinance included revised wording that would allow homeowners to install residential-scale renewable energy fixtures.
Other changes to wording and rules were aimed at bringing the ordinance into compliance with state regulations.
Planning Commission Chairperson Jane Munson said the draft ordinance will be reviewed by the Hillsdale County Planning Commission before being taken up by the Fayette Township board for approval.