A tense meeting, Thursday, of the Fayette Township Planning Commission ended without a vote on a proposed site plan for a massive solar installation.
A large group of area residents turned out for the meeting, which included a public hearing on a site plan for Ranger Power’s 1,350-acre Heartwood II solar project.
Several residents spoke during an initial public comment period, ahead of the scheduled public hearing, to voice their opposition to the project.
They cited concerns that included potential impacts on the long-term health of those who live near the installation, as well as its environmental impact.
Potential negative effects on the local quality of life and property values were top-of-mind as well.
During the public hearing, Ranger Power’s Development Manager Brady Friss said the company’s application was compliant with the township’s zoning requirements.
However, a review by zoning & planning consultant, Carlisle & Wortman, of Ann Arbor, found several areas where the application was lacking.
The shortcomings included a lack of details on the impact on the area woodlands, as well as incomplete information on plans for fire & emergency response, among other things.
In the review, Carlisle & Wortman recommended that the township deny the application, based on the lack of complete information.
However, at 9:00 pm, the Planning Commission paused the hearing to determine whether to continue due to the late hour.
After a short informal recess, members voted to adjourn the meeting and suspend the public hearing until May 7th.
That meeting, which is set for 7:00 PM in the Jonesville High School Cafetorium, will begin with the continuation of the public hearing.