The Fayette Township Board officially approved a new renewable energy ordinance during a brief special meeting on Wednesday night.
The board voted to adopt the Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance (CREO). This ordinance gives the township more control over how large solar and wind projects are built. Without it, state officials would have more power to decide where the projects will be constructed.
Wednesday’s meeting was unusually quiet and short compared to other recent sessions about solar energy. The entire meeting, including time for public comment, lasted less than 30 minutes.
Township leaders say the CREO is a “road map” for developers. It sets rules for how far solar panels must be from property lines, how much noise they can make, and how the land must be restored if a project ends.
The timing of the vote is important. A public hearing is scheduled for April 16th regarding the Heartwood II Solar Project. That project is a proposal to add 1,350 acres of solar panels in the township. The April 16th Planning Commission hearing will be held at 7 p.m. in the Jonesville High School Cafetorium.