LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Urban County Council voted to amend a proposed zoning ordinance during a Tuesday work session, reversing the Planning Commission's recommendation and allowing large-scale solar projects in certain agricultural zones for the first time.

Council members amended the regulations to allow for large-scale solar projects in certain agricultural zones, drawing both support and opposition from residents. Last month, the Planning Commission voted unanimously to revise a zoning ordinance text amendment, proposing to prohibit large and intermediate scale solar energy development in agricultural zones.

The revised ordinance would allow industrial solar projects in agricultural zones under certain conditions, including requirements to maintain agricultural production on the site and follow land-conservation and water-quality plans. The proposal would also limit large-scale, ground-mounted solar projects to one percent of Fayette County's total acreage.

The amendment has been contentious since earlier this year. In March, the Council's General Government and Planning Committee voted 6-to-4 to advance a proposed zoning change that would allow large-scale solar farms on agricultural land, marking a reversal from 2025 when the council voted to ban such projects.

During Tuesday's public comment session, speakers presented conflicting viewpoints. Some residents argued that solar development and agriculture can coexist and that renewable energy is needed to help Lexington reach its climate goals. Others contended that industrial-scale solar could threaten farmland and soil quality.

Mayor Linda Gorton opened the work session with a moment of silence for a shooting Saturday evening at Charles Young Park that killed one person and injured four others, including children.