BZA County appointments draw criticism

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January 1 Howard County commissioners’ appointments to the Howard County Zoning Appeals Board drew criticism from a vocal opponent of the proposed solar farm.

Commissioners voted 2-1 on Wednesday to appoint Michael Schroeder, Mike Imbler, Greg Tipton and Richard Byrum to County BZA, effective Sunday. Commissioner Brad Bray, R-District 3, was the “no”.

All but Tipton have served on the board in 2022. Russell Hopkins will also serve on the BZA from Sunday as a Howard County Council appointee. The county board chose Hopkins earlier this year because former BZA County member Frank Faulkner had to resign after being chosen to fill a vacancy on the county board.

Jeff Miller is notably absent among those appointed by the commissioners.

In July, Miller voted against the special exception permit application ENGIE, a multinational utility, filed to operate a large-scale commercial solar farm in eastern Howard County near Greentown. The vote was 3 to 2 against granting the special exception permit.

Miller also made his opposition very clear.

Miller, the owner of Cornerstone Construction Consulting, a local company that specializes in building and renovating bespoke homes, said at the July meeting that he found it hard to believe the solar project wouldn’t have a negative effect on nearby property values ​​as it is already lost. two new house construction contracts in the area due to the proposed solar park.

“I don’t see how it won’t affect the value of their properties,” Miller said. “I haven’t seen anything that’s been shared that convinces me it won’t affect the value of their properties.”

Miller’s comments that July night form an important part of ENGIE’s appeal filed in August.

The company’s application for judicial review, filed in Miami I County Superior Court, asks Judge David Grund to rule in favor of the company, returning the special exception request to the BZA with instructions that the board of directors approves and prohibits Miller from participating and voting. in the matter.

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In its brief, the company says the board was “capricious” in its decision, that its rejection was “unsupported” by evidence, and that Miller was biased against the project.

Indiana law states that a BZA member cannot participate or vote in any matter in which he has a conflict of interest. This includes, depending on state law, if a member is biased or biased or otherwise incapable of being impartial and/or if the member has a direct or indirect financial interest in the outcome of the decision.

The decision not to reappoint Miller could prove crucial to moving the solar farm project forward if the judge rules in favor of ENGIE and sends the case back to BZA County for a new vote.

The judge could also order the BZA department to approve ENGIE’s request for an exceptional special authorization; he could also decide to uphold the decision of the BZA.

The decision not to rename Miller angered Brad Semon of rural Howard County, who lives near where the proposed solar farm is. Semon asked Commissioner Paul Wyman, R-District 1, why the commissioners chose not to reappoint Miller.

Wyman, who came out in support of the proposed solar farm project at July County’s BZA hearing, replied, “We just felt those were the people we wanted to name.”

The answer did not appease Semon.

“Terrible, just terrible,” Semon said. “It shows your true colors. It shows there was some funny business today, and I’m glad we’re all here to see it. I hope you don’t pursue politics any further because that I will be your greatest adversary. I promise you that.”

Wyman’s term ends Saturday because he chose not to seek a fourth term.

Bray told the Tribune that he voted “no” to the County BZA nominations because he would have preferred to wait and see how Grund governs.

Tyler Juranovich can be reached at 765-454-8577, by email at [email protected] or on Twitter at @tylerjuranovich.

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