Solar energy project – Discussion continues in Mendon Township

Mendon Township Planning Commission members this week tabled a decision on whether to amend a local ordinance regarding solar energy systems.

Following feedback from 35 people at Tuesday’s meeting, the five-member commission agreed to weigh all comments and regroup next month for a potential vote. Its next meeting is slated for 7 p.m. Dec. 18 at the township hall..

Overall, the number of opponents to the plan proposed by Minnesota-based Geronimo Energy far outnumbered proponents Tuesday.

The issue requires the township to adopt an ordinance allowing solar panels. Geronimo has been left in a holding pattern while the township, its attorney Joe Haas and zoning administrator Doug Kuhlman piece together an ordinance. Copies of an ordinance that remains a work in progress was available at Tuesday’s meeting and numbers 10 pages.

The proposed White Pine Solar project is slated for a 20-acre area on the north side of Prairie Corners Road, on both sides of Bucknell Road. Geronimo hopes to develop a 20-megawatt project that its officials said will generate more than $6 million in local tax revenue over a 25-year period.