State board denies rehearing for 700‑acre Crossroads solar project; company may appeal

The county was briefed that the Ohio Power Siting Board has refused a rehearing request for the Crossroads renewable‑energy solar project south of Cardington, a development S1 described as covering roughly 700 acres across three townships. "They can take it to the Supreme Court and, move forward as bad as they want to," S1 said, noting the matter is now in the state's hands and the company has until July to file an appeal.

Commissioners said the board’s recommendation was not to grant another hearing, and that the decision shifts the next procedural steps to the developer and state courts rather than to county authority. S3 asked for a refresher on project costs and S1 summarized the scale and the three‑township footprint called out during the siting proceedings.

The county was told construction activity is under way at a separate, northern solar site: S1 reported crews were moving dirt and installing silt fence but that rain has affected progress. "It's under construction... a lot of dirt moving, a lot of silt fence up," S1 said. Commissioners noted there were no visible staking on the 309 side during their site visit.

What happens next depends on the developer’s legal choices. If the company pursues review in the state Supreme Court, the county will not control that appeal process. The board did not take further county‑level action during the meeting.