MOUNT VERNON—At Monday night’s meeting, Mount Vernon City Council members waived the three readings and adopted a solar resolution opposing the Frasier Solar project in Miller and Clinton townships.
Councilwoman Amber Keener asked to suspend the rules because of how soon the Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB) will meet to hear testimony on the project.
“I have heard from some individuals that they think this is too fast, but given that Frasier had been meeting with the administration back in 2022, I think this is plenty of time for council to make a decision,” she said.
Keener acknowledged it is difficult for new council members to come on board with such a history and recognized that not all council members have the same understanding of what has happened in the process.
Council suspended the rules by a 6-1 vote. Councilman John Ruckman voted no, saying he thinks the solar resolution deserves more conversation before coming to a vote.
Ruckman supported passing the resolution. However, he noted there was some language he did not agree with.
He also called for a more civil dialogue between those advocating for and against the project.
Open Road Renewables
Council invited Ben Dean of Preserve Knox County Ohio and Jared Yost of Knox Smart Development to speak in committee at its Feb. 26 meeting. Both oppose the solar project.
On Monday, during public participation, Craig Adair of Open Road Renewables spoke in favor of the project. ORR is the developer of the Frasier Solar project.
Adair said there is a lot of misinformation about solar, specifically refuting comments that solar panels are dangerous and can contaminate soil and water supplies.
He also touched on the following:
•Statements that an ORR project in Brown County caused catastrophic flooding: Adair said the area was wet and prone to flooding before the project. “The information we have from the soil and water [people] is it hasn’t caused a significant change in drainage patterns as a result of being constructed,” he said.
•Flooding: ORR submitted a stormwater management plan to the city last year. Adair said solar projects do not cause flooding because the area inside the project is completely vegetated.
•Statements that ORR removes topsoil: The OPSB forbids topsoil removal and has strict rules relating to removing topsoil for access roads.
•The parcel within the city: The landowner plans to sell the parcel to ORR instead of leasing it, as most property owners do. The parcel is zoned PND (Planned Neighborhood Development). “If agriculture is important to you, we are happy to work with the city and put a permanent conservation easement on it,” Adair said.
Public participation on the solar resolution
Gambier resident Jerry Kelly said solar is now a choice for large-scale energy production and is needed for energy security. He also said that unlike housing or shopping centers, solar can be installed and removed without changing the essential surrounding rural character.
Sharp Road resident Drenda Keesee opposes the project. She noted concerns with leeching, metals in the solar panels, ORR’s Good Neighbor Agreement, and the effect on the sandhill cranes that inhabit her wetlands.
Katie and Brad Carothers have sold sheep to utility-scale solar projects in Tennessee, Georgia, and Virginia.
Katie said solar grazing is a proven agriculture model that can provide large-scale land access that helps young sheep producers fill a gap in the market. She said their sheep production will support local equipment dealers, forage seed suppliers, veterinarians, and employees.
Brad said it is a misconception that solar fields harm sheep. His sheep operation at Oberlin College is well managed in terms of both vegetation and sheep health. He reiterated that solar provides young sheep farmers with access to land.
Sharp Road residents Ron Cameron and Dave Godwin favor Frasier Solar.
Cameron lives across from the parcel within the city limits. He said he would rather see sheep grazing there than issues associated with a PND.
Godwin said ORR has been forthcoming with information, and PILOT money will help the townships and schools.
Delano Street resident Jacki Mann said the project violates good stewardship and disrupts habitat and the natural beauty of the land.
Dean and Yost reiterated their opposition. Yost cited flooding, potential blockage of city growth southward, and city income loss from solar vs. if the land is used for industry.
Dean cited poor stewardship and questioned whether solar supports the city’s housing needs.
Legislative actions
In addition to adopting the solar resolution, council members took the following actions:
•Gave a second reading to legislation that authorizes the city to contract with ODOT for design services for the Edgewood Road improvements between Gambier Road (Ohio 229) and East High
•Waived the three readings and approved disposing of police and public works vehicles and equipment, buying equipment for public works, appropriations, and creating the position of deputy auditor
•Waived the third reading and approved changing the title of the wastewater superintendent to assistant director of utilities (wastewater), creating the positions of HR generalist, adding five technicians to the engineering and public works departments, updating the fees and penalties association with utility companies and street openings, and establishing compensation for the assistant fire chief position
•Appointed Councilman James Mahan and community member Emily Marth to the housing council after waiving the three readings
•Gave the first reading to legislation creating a Mount Vernon Volunteer Firefighters’ Dependents Fund Board; fixing the compensation for hourly non-bargaining unit employees, supervisory, and professional personnel; and contracting for Phase 7 upgrades to the water plant
