Stark County wants to hear opinions on large wind and solar. Here's how to weigh in

Grace Springer, Canton Repository
·2 min read
Fourteen Stark County townships want large wind and solar banned in their communities. Proposed restricted areas shown on the map would be off limits for any future construction of some wind and solar projects. Community members can weigh in on the proposal June 24.
Fourteen Stark County townships want large wind and solar banned in their communities. Proposed restricted areas shown on the map would be off limits for any future construction of some wind and solar projects. Community members can weigh in on the proposal June 24.

CANTON – It's time to weigh in on large wind and solar projects.

The Stark County commissioners will hold a public hearing at 6 p.m. June 24 in the Event Hall on the first floor of the county office building. The commissioners are seeking opinions on the proposed restricted area that would prohibit large wind and solar projects in 14 of Stark County's 17 townships.

Ohio Senate Bill 52 enables county governments to establish restricted areas in unincorporated areas of the county.

The proposed restricted area would prohibit large solar facilities and large wind farms of 50 megawatts or more, as well as economically significant wind farms between five and 50 megawatts in Canton, Jackson, Lake, Lawrence, Lexington, Nimishillen, Osnaburg, Paris, Pike, Plain, Sugar Creek, Tuscarawas and Washington townships.

In Marlboro Township, the restricted area would prohibit large solar facilities and large wind farms but allow economically significant wind farms.

Citizens will get up to two minutes each to speak at the hearing.

Commissioner Janet Creighton said she expects to hear many opinions from Stark County residents at the hearing. She said she is interested in hearing from residents in Washington Township and sharing their perspective as an ad hoc member of the Ohio Power Siting Board for the Samsung Stark Solar 150-megawatt solar farm project.

"As a Siting Board member, it is important for me especially to get that feedback so that when I go to the Siting Board meetings as a representative of the county, I have some information to share and opinions to give," she said.

The commissioners have voted to oppose the proposed Samsung C&T Renewables solar farm. Creighton abstained from the vote due to her role on the Siting Board.

More: Stark commissioners oppose Washington Twp. solar farm. What's that mean for project?

On a separate date following the public hearing, the commissioners are expected to pass a resolution designating the restricted areas. The resolution would become effective 30 days after it is passed.

The county office building is located at 110 Central Plaza S.

Reach Grace at 330-580-8364 or gspringer@gannett.com. Follow her on X @GraceSpringer16.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Stark County commissioners set wind and solar farm hearing date