LEE COUNTY — Lee County will not be getting a new solar project in the county after the county board voted against allowing the company a special use permit.

The Lee County Board met during its regular monthly meeting on Thursday, Feb. 18.

On the agenda, the Lee County Zoning Board presented a resolution to the county board to approve a special use permit for a 3,800-acre South Dixon Solar project. 

The zoning board noted special conditions that would need to follow including: construction activity hours; an archeological assessment to be taken; decommissioned at the end of the 35-year lease; and holding Lee County and its official harmless from and against claims and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of the acts or omissions of South Dixon Solar, LLC’s operation. 

After reviewing the proposal and expressing concerns that perhaps the residents in the area had not been properly informed of the project and the concerns that the property values would be affected, the county board voted 18-4 to reject the motion, with one board member absent and one abstaining.

Other solar farms have been approved by the Lee County Board in the past.

In other board news:

Lee County Sheriff John Simonton approached the board and requested that they approve a resolution to send to the governor to ask him to reject the HB 3653 which will affect law enforcement in the county and state in a negative way.