Decatur County board denies zoning request for proposed solar energy project

(GREENSBURG, Ind.) – Plans to build a commercial solar energy facility in Decatur County were halted on Wednesday night. 

The Decatur County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) unanimously denied a special exception that was made by Geenex/Cobia Solar to build the facility on 7,000 acres in the Burney area. 

The leadup to the vote was a lengthy and sometimes controversial process as those in favor and opponents each voiced opinions during several meetings.

The last meeting in June ended with the vote being postponed until August. 

Prior to the vote being read, BZA member Paul Stone thanked the petitioner for their professionalism during the process and also the community members who voiced their comments and concerns. 

“This board has listened to, read, and considered and invested a lot of hours and this is all coming down to a sudden end,” Stone said. “This has not been an easy decision by anyone on this table.”