• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Us
  • Videos
    • Featured Video
    • Foodie Friday
    • Monthly ReCap
  • Online E-Editions
    • This Week’s E-Editions
    • 2022
    • 2021
    • 2020
    • 2019
    • 2018
    • 2017
    • 2016
    • 2015
    • 2014
  • Social Media
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
  • Advertising
  • Local Jobs
  • Puzzles & Games
  • Circulation Request

The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

       

Click to join our weekly e-newsletter

  • Home
  • News
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills/East Pasco
    • Business Digest
    • Senior Parks
    • Nature Notes
    • Featured Stories
    • Photos of the Week
    • Reasons To Smile
  • Sports
    • Land O’ Lakes
    • Lutz
    • Wesley Chapel/New Tampa
    • Zephyrhills and East Pasco
    • Check This Out
  • Education
  • Pets/Wildlife
  • Health
    • Health Events
    • Health News
  • What’s Happening
  • Sponsored Content
    • Closer Look
  • Homes
  • Obits
  • Public Notices

TECO to operate solar farm in unincorporated Zephyrhills

June 15, 2021 By B.C. Manion

Tampa Electric Company (TECO) has obtained permission to proceed with a solar farm generating up to 74.7 megawatts on a 576-acre site, east of Paul S. Buchman Highway, south of Jerry Road, west of Saunders Road and north of County Line Road, in unincorporated Zephyrhills.

The request is part of the electric company’s long-term strategy to build a grid that is reliable and meets its customer’s needs, according to background materials in the application file.

In approving the request, the Pasco County Planning Commission increased the buffering requirements to provide a better screen for residential neighbors to the site. To accomplish that, commissioners are requiring more trees to be planted to reduce visibility of the solar farm to neighbors living adjacent to the site.

Electric company officials hope to have the facility completed and producing energy by 2023, according to agenda background materials.

The solar farm will use film photovoltaic (PV) panels that absorb sunlight and directly produce electricity. It will be on a 576-acre site that includes the Palm River Dairy Farm and some single-family dwellings.

Conditions for approval included minimum setbacks, buffering requirements and noise regulations.

The solar farm will be located in the southeastern portion of unincorporated Pasco County.

The solar farm will consist of 133 acres of panels spread out over about 350 acres. The panels will be organized in arrays, and there will be grassy areas in between and beneath the solar arrays. Those grassy areas will be grazed by sheep.

The site is located next to Martin Marietta Materials, which uses are aggregate transfer facility, asphalt plant, rail spur, aggregate sorting and conveyance system, storage yard, sales and operational offices.

The solar farm will be unmanned and will be remotely monitored.

Under the conditions for approval, the applicant must  provide a decommission plan for the site, which may be reviewed and approved by the county administrator or his designee.

If the applicant ceases operations or the solar farm no longer works properly or is abandoned, the applicant is responsible for decommissioning the solar farm within 180 days.

The decommissioning shall include the removal and disposal of all material and equipment, in a manner that is consistent with industry standards and practices.

The site also must be restored to the condition that existed immediately following the initial site clearing and grading, according to background materials.

During the public hearing, one neighbor raised concerns about the potential impacts from the solar farm, including the potential for diminishing the value of his property, and the possible unknown health consequences.

Kristin Mora, an attorney representing TECO, cited research a research paper from the North Carolina State Clean Energy Technology Center, which concluded that solar farms are deemed a human health hazard.

She also cited research that determined that solar farms do not diminish property values.

Planning Commission Chairman Charles Grey, however, disputed the finding regarding property values.

“That’s my area of expertise. I’ve been in the business for 50 years,” Grey said. “I know what affects property values and what doesn’t. I don’t think anybody in this room could say, in all honesty, that they’d love to live next to a solar panel site.

“I know that we’re trying to develop them (solar farms). I know that we’re looking toward that type of energy, but if we’re going to do it, we’re going to have to pay the price to do it. I don’t think we should expect the neighbors to pay the price.

“Personally, I think, if it were up to me, they should have to be compensated for the amount of decrease in value their property may experience because I think they will experience it,” the planning board chairman concluded.

He also advocated for additional buffering to shield adjacent residential properties from the visual impacts of the solar farm.

Chief Assistant County Attorney David Goldstein said the planning board had the discretion to impose more substantial buffering requirements than recommended by planning staff.

“My personal feeling is that it should be not visible from the adjoining residence property owner. If I lived there, I certainly wouldn’t want to look out my backyard and see a bunch of solar panels,” Grey said.

Planning Commissioner Jaimie Girardi agreed, making a motion to approve the solar farm, but require more trees to be planted — to provide a greater degree of opacity.

Planning board members approved the motion, contingent on the conditions and the increased buffering requirement.

Published June 16, 2021

Share this:

  • Tweet
  • Share on Tumblr
  • Email
  • Print

Like this:

Like Loading...

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Primary Sidebar

Coloring Contest

Download and Color

Search

The Recap Presents…

Sponsored Content

Brunch Spots in Pasco County Worth Waking Up For

July 5, 2022 By Kelli Carmack

Searching for a new brunch spot in Pasco County to add to your favorites list? Whether you’re in the mood for something … [Read More...] about Brunch Spots in Pasco County Worth Waking Up For

Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

June 28, 2022 By Kelli Carmack

Toni Hedstrom, a Lutz resident for 13 years and real estate agent for Compass Realty, is always looking to be creative, … [Read More...] about Toni Hedstrom Gets Creative for Buyers and Sellers

More Posts from this Category

What’s Happening

07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

Weekly Cribbage Club meetings are every Wednesday at 6 p.m., at the Wilderness Lake clubhouse, 21326 Wilderness Lake Blvd. in Land O' Lakes. The club is currently playing informally, but is looking to join the ACC cribbage organization. For more information/questions call 732-322-7103, or email . … [Read More...] about 07/06/2022 – Cribbage club

07/06/2022 – Fire Rescue safety

The Zephyrhills Public Library, 5347 Eighth St., will host a free K-5 Summer Reading program on July 6 at 10:30 a.m., for kindergarten through fifth grade. Firefighters and rescue team members from Pasco County Fire Rescue will present a session on fire safety. (They might even bring a fire engine!) No registration is required. For information, call 813-780-0064. … [Read More...] about 07/06/2022 – Fire Rescue safety

07/06/2022 – Woman’s club skit

The GFWC Wesley Chapel Woman’s Club will present “The Game Nite Skit” on July 6, at the Atonement Lutheran Church, 29617 State Road 54, in Wesley Chapel. Fellowship begins at 6 p.m., followed by a meeting at 6:30 p.m. … [Read More...] about 07/06/2022 – Woman’s club skit

07/07/2022 – Community conversation

The City of Zephyrhills will host a public meeting, “Community Conversation,” on July 7 at 6 p.m., at the Zephyrhills Depot Museum, 39110 South Ave. The city aims to collect ideas from residents, business owners, workers and other community stakeholders to create a citywide vision for 2035. To learn how to participate and get involved, visit Plan2035.zhills.city. … [Read More...] about 07/07/2022 – Community conversation

07/07/2022 – Floridian Cuisine

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a “Floridian Cuisine” presentation on July 7 at 6 p.m. Participants can learn how to prepare quick and healthy meals using a variety of seafood, poultry and meat, with locally grown fruits and vegetables. There also will be an explanation of various cultures that have contributed to Floridian cuisine, as well as creative ways to use fruit and spices, healthy options for a cookout, and simple desserts. The presentation will end with a cooking demonstration that can be replicated at home in less than 15 minutes. Registration is online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/07/2022 – Floridian Cuisine

07/07/2022 – Ocean science

The Starkey Ranch Theatre Library Cultural Center, 12118 Lake Blanche Drive in Odessa, will host a session on “Ocean Science” on July 7 at 2 p.m., for sixth through 12th grades. Topics will include how whales stay warm and surviving the Titanic. Register online at PascoLibraries.org. … [Read More...] about 07/07/2022 – Ocean science

More of What's Happening

Follow us on Twitter

The Laker/Lutz News Follow

Your home for weekly news that impacts your life and community. Serving Land O' Lakes, Lutz, New Tampa, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Dade City.

LakerLutzNews
lakerlutznews The Laker/Lutz News @lakerlutznews ·
1 Jul

LCOAL UPDATE: Mike Carballa is Pasco County’s new interim administrator, effective July 30. He has been selected to replace Dan Biles as the county’s new administrator, when Biles’ contract lapses on Oct. 1. Full story: https://lakerlutznews.com/lln/2022/06/103096/

Reply on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Retweet on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Like on Twitter 1542894556789833730 Twitter 1542894556789833730
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
mositampa MOSI @mositampa ·
1 Jul

We continue to celebrate MOSI’s 60th Anniversary through our Social Media Contest. In July, we are asking our friends to submit a funny Science meme or photo. Submissions accepted July 1- July 31. Winning submission gets one free MOSI Pioneer Membership. https://conta.cc/39JPT09

Reply on Twitter 1542817813831745537 Retweet on Twitter 1542817813831745537 4 Like on Twitter 1542817813831745537 8 Twitter 1542817813831745537
Retweet on Twitter The Laker/Lutz News Retweeted
pascocountypio Pasco County PIO @pascocountypio ·
30 Jun

#HurricaneSeason 2022 TIP: High winds can whip up with or without warning - having the same effect as a strong thunderstorm or tornado. Older homes can be more at risk. To minimize damage, keep up with home repairs. More info http://MyPasco.net #PascoCounty #PascoPrepares

Reply on Twitter 1542568660304142338 Retweet on Twitter 1542568660304142338 4 Like on Twitter 1542568660304142338 2 Twitter 1542568660304142338
Load More

Archives

 

 

Where to pick up The Laker and Lutz News

Copyright © 2022 Community News Publications Inc.

    Doc
%d bloggers like this: