LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Rural Land Management Board is urging the Urban County Council to reconsider its recent decision to allow large-scale solar farms on agricultural land, with members preparing a detailed white paper to circulate before upcoming votes on the zoning amendment.

During a meeting August 26, board members expressed disappointment that the council voted 8-7 to restore language allowing industrial-scale solar in rural areas, defying the Planning Commission's unanimous recommendation against such projects. The board will send a more comprehensive document to council members ahead of the first reading on August 27, in hopes of persuading at least one council member to change their vote before the final vote on September 10.

"If there's any chance of stopping this, we should take it," board members said during the meeting, noting that Council Member Hil Boone indicated at least one council member remained persuadable.

The council's decision to allow large-scale solar farms in rural areas defied a recommendation from the Planning Commission to prohibit such installations entirely. The move pits renewable energy goals against farmland preservation concerns.

At-large council members James Brown and Chuck Ellinger voted against the measure, as did Council Member Hil Boone, who represents rural Fayette County. However, one board member criticized their own district representative for voting with the council majority despite serving on the Rural Land Management Board.

The council proposal would allow solar on up to 1 percent of Fayette County's land, with requirements for on-site agricultural production, land conservation plans and vegetative cover. The draft changes are set to go before Council for a first reading at its August 27th meeting, with a second reading and final vote on September 10th.

Board members also expressed concern that the county expects their small staff to monitor industrial solar facilities, which falls outside their traditional area of expertise in farmland preservation.