County planners vote 4-2 to recommend approval of Special Use Permit for solar farm

The Pulaski County Planning Commission voted 4-2 tonight to recommend approval of a Special Use Permit (SUP) to allow construction of a solar farm on over 2,700 acres of farm land in Pulaski County.

The commission’s recommendation now goes to the Board of Supervisors who will ultimately decide whether the SUP is approved, paving the way for the solar farm project to be built.

The supervisors will take up the issue at their monthly meeting set for Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. when it also holds a public hearing in the Little Theatre of Pulaski County High School – where  Tueseday night’s commission hearing was held.

Commissioner John Travis, the Board of Supervisors’ representative on the planning commission, offered the motion to recommend approval to the supervisors. His motion was seconded by Commissioner Dr. Doug Warren.

Voting “yes” on the motion were Commissioners David Clark, Warren, Travis and David Dean. Voting against the motion were Commissioner Melanie Lester and Commission Chairman Andy Hall.

Commissioner Al Smith left the meeting during its opening minutes and did not vote.

A second vote was taken and passed on whether the SUP as requested is in “significant accord” with the county’s Comprehensive Plan. The Commission voted 5-1 that it is, with Hall again voting “no.”

More later….

By MIKE WILLIAMS, The Patriot