Solar farm could locate north of Fowlerville. When township officials will take action
The Cohoctah Township Planning Commission hosted a special meeting July 29 to review an application for Headland Solar. The special meeting marked the commission's first review of the project.
Headland Solar is a proposed 220-megawatt solar farm on roughly 1,500 acres in Cohoctah Township and Conway Township in Livingston County. The development is proposed by Ranger Power, a utility-scale renewable energy development company based in Chicago.
If Conway and Cohoctah say no to the proposed farm, Ranger Power could seek approval from the state. Public Act 233 shifts approval powers in certain circumstances away from local governments to the Michigan Public Service Commission. Conway and Cohoctah are part of a lawsuit filed last November challenging PA 233.
Officials from Ranger Power say the development will produce clean, renewable energy and provide major economic benefits to the community. But some residents and local representatives have expressed concerns about the project's impact on the environment and their quality-of-life.
The commission has until Sept. 18 to make a decision, according to Chair Jessica Buttermore. Discussions will continue Aug. 7, during a special meeting Aug. 19, and Sept. 4 — with a final decision expected either Sept. 15 or 16.
More: Will a hefty solar project in Livingston County improve locals' lives? Residents doubt it
The meeting on July 29 lasted about an hour and 45 minutes. Planning Commissioner Clint Beach had several questions for Headland Solar representatives. He noted that none of the organizations listed in a provided summary of community outreach were based in Cohoctah.
Drew Vielbig, director of development at Ranger, said the company's first meeting in Cohoctah Township took place in 2021 and there've been numerous meetings since.
'We've been here for a long time," he said. "We were here when the township adopted its initial solar ordinance. ... We've been active and transparent about the project here since the start.'
Beach asked if company officials were willing to scale back the project to better align with the community's wishes and guidelines. Vielbig said no.
Commissioners also had concerns about sound, drainage and property values. Vielbig said the company is working to ensure sound isn't a concern.
Ranger Power's involvement in the project stops at the time construction begins, officials said. DESRI, a financial partner, will take over as long-term operator, and would be responsible for alleviating any future issues.
If approved, the earliest construction year is 2027. The Conway Township Planning Commission hosted a public hearing July 9 and also has until Sept. 18 to make a decision, according to Supervisor Mike Brown.
— Contact reporter Evan Sasiela at esasiela@livingstondaily.com. Follow him on X @SalsaEvan.
This article originally appeared on Livingston Daily: Livingston County's Cohoctah, Conway to decide on Headland Solar Project
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