County takes up solar farm zoning question

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by Patty Cheffey

The need to adopt a solar ordinance to go along with the county’s wind ordinance was briefly discussed during Monday’s Marion County Commission meeting.

Also Monday, the commissioners approved allowing Mike Schaefer, county highway supervisor to look into hiring a new crew member and striping Veterans Road, approved a flood buy-out land lease and discussed work on the Palmyra Courthouse HVAC and heating unit.

Teya Stice, county improvement coordinator, reported the Planning and Zoning Commission has been looking into an ordinance for solar energy, and the county commissioners expressed a desire to adopt one soon.

The commissioners expressed a desire to see anyone seeking to put in a solar or wind farm have that property zoned commercial.

Stice noted the county’s current wind ordinance does not ask for property to be rezoned from agriculture, and Steve Begley, western district commissioner, said he felt it needed to be, noting he had discussed it with the other counties, which are adopting policies asking for land to be rezoned to commercial.

The commissioners took no action on the matter, noting they will be attending the County Commissioners Association Meeting this week and will find out more information there.

In addition to the solar and wind ordinances, Stice noted the fourth hearing for Urban Wiskerchen’s request will be discussed as will the first hearing for Brad and Robin Stice’s request to establish a venue. The meeting is set for March 9 at 7 p.m.

In other business, Mike Schaefer requested permission to hire a new employee for the highway department as Howard Kroeger is retiring.

The commissioners approved the request, but noted they wanted to review the applications prior to a hire being made.

Schaefer also reported the wind on top of the rain brought down some trees, including ones that were blocking two county roads. 

Crews were working to clear those on Monday morning, but it was noted gusty winds on Monday could mean more problems.

It was also reported a pole had fallen in Hannibal, forcing the Hannibal Courthouse to be closed on Monday.

The commissioners also asked Schaefer to look into either hiring someone or the county doing the work themselves to stripe Veterans Road.

Commissioners also approved a lease for flood buy-out property of about 3.6 acres between Taylor and West Quincy to William and Joseph Hofmeister. The land is located where their home used to be.

Stice also said she had received a proposal in the amount of $9,560 from Peter’s Heating and Cooling to do some work on the county’s chiller, noting it is needing valve replacement work done as well as other items.

That item was tabled as Larry Welch, eastern district commissioner, said he is looking into alternative heating and cooling options for the county.

The commissioners also passed on a maintenance agreement with Peter’s since the county’s maintenance people do most of the work on the list.