LEXINGTON, Ky. — City planners have rejected a recommendation that would have opened the door to large-scale solar farms in Lexington's agricultural zones, according to WUKY 91.3 FM.

The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Planning Commission voted against the proposal, which would have permitted utility-scale solar projects on agricultural land surrounding the city. The decision reflects ongoing tension between renewable energy development and farmland preservation in the region.

The vote underscores local concerns about converting productive farmland to solar facilities, a debate that has become increasingly common as Kentucky and other states seek to expand clean energy generation. Agricultural preservation advocates have raised questions about whether large solar installations align with the long-term protection of the region's farming community.

The rejection does not preclude future solar development proposals in Lexington's agricultural areas, but it signals the planning commission's current stance on how such projects should be regulated. City planners will likely revisit zoning and land-use policies related to renewable energy as solar technology becomes more prevalent.

The decision comes as communities across Kentucky grapple with balancing environmental sustainability goals against land-use preservation, particularly in areas designated for agriculture. Local officials have not indicated whether they plan to revisit the issue or develop alternative approaches to solar development that might satisfy both energy and agricultural interests.