Following growing statewide trends of local government restricting renewable development through burdensome ordinances, Allen County has become another in a long line of counties closing off economic development and infringing on property rights for landowners.

In recent months, solar siting has been a leading topic for county officials, reaching its conclusion on Oct. 3 — turning away around 400 megawatts of generation.

On June 12, the Allen County Plan Commission held a public hearing at the Coliseum to discuss solar ordinance amendments. The room was packed with equal numbers of supporters and opponents. The tension was palpable: Would the county support private property rights and economic development or not?

In a bold move, the plan commission reduced 1,000-foot setbacks to 200 fee

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