Solar farm project near Potato Creek State Park sparks resident protests

ST. JOSEPH COUNTY, Ind. (WNDU) – Proposed plans for a 150-megawatt solar farm in St. Joseph County are drawing protests, and the plans appear to come as a surprise to those who live near the proposed site.

The site is just south of Potato Creek State Park. A company called Hexagon Energy says it has already secured options on more than 2,500 acres of land there.

The proposed Dumont Solar project would be built near the Dumont substation, but there are signs the company may need or want more land before moving forward.

“We had developers come to our door about two weeks ago and they wanted to put an easement on our property,” said Amanda Mitchell of Rethink Industrial Solar in St. Joseph County. “This was the first time we heard about this.”

On Saturday, Mitchell began sounding the alarm through street signs because she believes what neighbors don't know can hurt them.

“There’s no awareness in the community,” she said. “There are actually a few homes for sale, and they will be completely surrounded by solar. There's one in Pine (Road), I think it costs $525,000. And they sell it like it's a beautiful, pristine area. . . which will be surrounded on three sides for solar energy.

On its website, Hexagon Energy says it has initiated environmental studies, cultural and historical studies, geotechnical studies and survey work.

As agricultural land, the property apparently would not need to be rezoned, as it would have been before the last revision of the county's zoning code.

“The best thing would be to reinstate protections for individuals and not just developers into our regulations.”

Opponents of the solar farm project have planned a public meeting Thursday evening to try to determine what action they might take next. It is scheduled for 7 p.m. at American Legion Post 365 in North Liberty.

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