The tug-of-war over the establishment of solar generating facilities in the city made its way before the Bellefontaine City Council again at Tuesday’s regular meeting, April 22, as an ordinance that would approve new planning and zoning regulations regarding solar energy systems was introduced for a first reading.
The planning and zoning regulations regarding solar energy facilities was tabled by the council several months ago. However, with the city’s plan to annex property on Bellefontaine’s north side for the purpose of installing a solar generating facility, an ordinance must be passed to set definitions between small solar facilities and community solar facilities, equipment, clear-fall zones and decommissioning plans, which will then be presented to the planning commission for further study.
The first reading of the solar ordinance passed Tuesday by the narrowest of margins, the final vote being 4-3 in favor of advancing the ordinance, with council members Nick Davis, Jenna James, and Kyle Springs all voting against the measure.
The ordinance will be up again for its second reading at the May 13 meeting.
Members passed two ordinances at Tuesday’s meeting, one vacating an east-west alley along West Street, and the second approving the Maris Park Phase IV subdivision dedication plat, which is an approximately 10-acre parcel in Jefferson Township.
The Maris Park subdivision ordinance was introduced at the meeting on is first reading. At the request of the rules committee, it was passed on an emergency basis, with council waiving the three-reading rule so it may take effect immediately.
The emergency ordinance passed both the suspension of the three-reading rule and the adoption of the ordinance with no further comment and by unanimous votes.
Up for second readings Tuesday were five ordinances — all of which will seek proposals for bids and contracts on various infrastructure projects throughout the city. Each of the ordinances passed unanimously.
The five projects include the Harding Street waterline improvements, the Malone Avenue waterline improvements, the 2025 street painting and striping project, the Columbus and Powell Avenues storm drain improvement projects, and the 2025 Citywide street resurfacing project.
Also introduced for first readings at Tuesday’s meeting were two ordinances concerning tap fees for new homes, the first regarding sewer lines and the second regarding water lines.
The tap fees for both are expected to rise to $2,000 in June 2025 and then increase again in January 2026 to $2,500 per connection.
The Bellefontaine City Council meets again in regular session May 13, at which time it will conduct two public meeting on proposed annexations into the city prior to the regular 7:30 p.m. start time.
The first hearing will begin at 6:30 p.m. and concerns approximately 27 acres on the southeast side of the city south of Lake Avenue and west of County Road 1, while the second public hearing is expected to begin at 6:45 p.m. and concerns an approximately 200- acre property located northwest of the U.S. Route 33 and U.S. Route 68 intersection, which is planned to be the site of a solar- generating facility.