A large solar farm proposed for Washtenaw County’s Manchester Township has been denied a permit after an outpouring of community opposition.
Representatives of the proposed Thorn Lake Solar project went before thetownship's planning commission back in April. They maintained the 159-acre solar farm would bring $5 million in tax revenue, and 20 megawatts of energy.
But residents, like Allison McKenzie, who owns a horse farm a half-mile from the proposed site, argued that it would be an eyesore - and a threat to their property value.
"The person selling the field or leasing the field benefits financially, but the people living around the area don’t. And I want to be able to potentially sell my farm in a few years, and I was terrified I wouldn’t be able to.”
The Manchester Township Planning Commission this past week denied a zoning permit for the solar project by a narrow margin. The majority said it was not compatible with the natural environment.
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