By Greg Chandler
Zeeland Record
Zeeland Township planning commissioners will go back to work next month on crafting a township renewable energy ordinance, even as discussions continue on updating the township master plan.
Commissioners on June 9 agreed by consensus to resume discussions on what’s called an “unworkable incompatible ordinance” that opposes Public Act 233, the Michigan law that allows renewable energy developers to bypass local units of government and apply for approval through the Michigan Public Service Commission, such as is the case with RWE’s application for the Silver Maple solar project now pending before the commission.
Commissioners debated whether to pause discussions on the ordinance, as the township began work recently on updating the master plan, the first update to that planning document since 2019.
Commissioner Linda Walker said the township shouldn’t wait for the master plan to be completed before addressing the ordinance. She shared details of a June 8 meeting involving management of Ottawa Executive Airport, zoning officials and representatives of the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding efforts to limit the impact of the Silver Maple project on airport operations.
“MDOT basically advised Brad (Pugh, airport manager) that MDOT couldn’t necessarily enforce (a zone around the airport),” said Walker, a licensed pilot. “However, if you put it in your ordinance, that could go back when it comes up before the judges in this whole issue with MPSC – they could go back to that ordinance and say, ‘you’ve got to keep this space around the airport.’ We’re not protecting our airport at all.
“I don’t see why we don’t go ahead and continue with our ordinance and get it updated. It’s not all about solar. It’s about (battery energy storage systems) too. Someone could come in with a BESS application,” she added.
Commissioner Dennis Russcher agreed, noting that there may be another developer interested in a solar project in the township.
“I got in contact with the Overisel Township supervisor, and (a potential developer is) nosing around the south side of our township – another company for solar panels,” Russcher said. “I think we should stay on it. I really do.”
Commissioners initially tried to develop a “workable incompatible ordinance” earlier this spring, but scrapped that idea after RWE submitted its application for the 200-megawatt Silver Maple project to the MPSC. A decision on the project is expected by April 2027.
Walker also alluded to the possibility of future challenges to PA 233, either in the courts or if there’s a change in the governor’s office or Legislature, toward repeal of the law.
“It’s a longshot, it’s probably just a prayer and a hope, but there’s always a possibility of PA 233 getting appealed, and … we need something in place for that possibility (it could be overturned), because it could happen,” she said.
The Planning Commission is expected to resume discussions on the ordinance at its next scheduled meeting July 14.
Zeeland Record
Zeeland Township planning commissioners will go back to work next month on crafting a township renewable energy ordinance, even as discussions continue on updating the township master plan.
Commissioners on June 9 agreed by consensus to resume discussions on what’s called an “unworkable incompatible ordinance” that opposes Public Act 233, the Michigan law that allows renewable energy developers to bypass local units of government and apply for approval through the Michigan Public Service Commission, such as is the case with RWE’s application for the Silver Maple solar project now pending before the commission.
Commissioners debated whether to pause discussions on the ordinance, as the township began work recently on updating the master plan, the first update to that planning document since 2019.
Commissioner Linda Walker said the township shouldn’t wait for the master plan to be completed before addressing the ordinance. She shared details of a June 8 meeting involving management of Ottawa Executive Airport, zoning officials and representatives of the Michigan Department of Transportation regarding efforts to limit the impact of the Silver Maple project on airport operations.
“MDOT basically advised Brad (Pugh, airport manager) that MDOT couldn’t necessarily enforce (a zone around the airport),” said Walker, a licensed pilot. “However, if you put it in your ordinance, that could go back when it comes up before the judges in this whole issue with MPSC – they could go back to that ordinance and say, ‘you’ve got to keep this space around the airport.’ We’re not protecting our airport at all.
“I don’t see why we don’t go ahead and continue with our ordinance and get it updated. It’s not all about solar. It’s about (battery energy storage systems) too. Someone could come in with a BESS application,” she added.
Commissioner Dennis Russcher agreed, noting that there may be another developer interested in a solar project in the township.
“I got in contact with the Overisel Township supervisor, and (a potential developer is) nosing around the south side of our township – another company for solar panels,” Russcher said. “I think we should stay on it. I really do.”
Commissioners initially tried to develop a “workable incompatible ordinance” earlier this spring, but scrapped that idea after RWE submitted its application for the 200-megawatt Silver Maple project to the MPSC. A decision on the project is expected by April 2027.
Walker also alluded to the possibility of future challenges to PA 233, either in the courts or if there’s a change in the governor’s office or Legislature, toward repeal of the law.
“It’s a longshot, it’s probably just a prayer and a hope, but there’s always a possibility of PA 233 getting appealed, and … we need something in place for that possibility (it could be overturned), because it could happen,” she said.
The Planning Commission is expected to resume discussions on the ordinance at its next scheduled meeting July 14.
