Residents debate citizen advisory board, solar moratorium and property rights at Dearborn County meeting

Public comment at the March 17 Dearborn County commission meeting centered on solar development, a citizen advisory board proposal and a moratorium on certain projects.

Steve Jordan opened the public-comment period by criticizing prior rezoning processes and questioning the chair’s conduct at meetings; he asked how a recent moratorium vote was recorded and the chair confirmed the vote was in favor. Jordan urged caution about concentrating discretionary power in one official.

Brandon Lang of Lake Tambo Road said he had personal and family experiences that made him wary of large projects and urged commissioners not to support a citizen advisory board for solar. Lang criticized draft provisions that would require disclosure of contracts and argued the measure would strip property rights, saying residents should be free to lease land for solar, grazing or other uses. Commissioners responded that the moratorium is intended to pause new activity while planning and zoning reviews standards for solar, data centers and battery storage, and that planning and zoning retains permitting authority.

Emily Hartman told the commission that a citizen advisory board is authorized by Indiana law and described the board as a mechanism to focus on public safety, health and well-being; she said citizens can request experts and emphasized that any ordinance must originate with the planning commission. Hartman said she had discussed the idea with Commissioner Turner and urged the county to include experts when necessary.

Samuel Mortensen asked how the nine-member plan commission is appointed and reiterated that commissioners and council members influence appointments; he urged residents to engage with candidates ahead of elections so they understand where officeholders stand on zoning and related policy.

Commissioners responded repeatedly that planning and zoning has statutory authority over ordinances and that the commission will monitor the planning process via monthly reports. Several commissioners said they expect planning staff to bring expert analysis to the review and that, if planning’s process fails to produce acceptable outcomes, commissioners and planning staff will meet to discuss next steps.

The public-comment exchange underscored a split in the community between residents who fear loss of property rights and those who support citizen participation to safeguard public safety as the county evaluates solar, data-center and battery policies. No formal action was taken on the citizen advisory board during the meeting; the moratorium remains in effect while planning and zoning continues its review.