Solar Farms, Swimming Pools, and Slaughter Houses. Oh My! {video}

Solar farms, swimming pools, and slaughter houses were the topics of discussion at the Hardeman County Planning Commission meeting on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

The first item the planning commission took up was a resolution regarding the location of swimming pools. It was recommended to amend the definition of “yards” to specify side and rear yards. It was noted residents that currently have pools located in their front yards would be grandfathered in. Commission members expressed concerns for county residents who have large acreage properties or who have circumstances preventing a swimming pool location being either in the back or side yard. The commission voted to table the resolution and revisit it after it is changed to make provision to allow swimming pools to be located in front yards under certain circumstances.

Next, the commission considered a resolution to allow slaughter houses as uses permitted on appeal. A citizen addressed the commission and expressed his views as to why slaughter houses should be allowed in Hardeman County. Some of his concerns included the need to travel out of the county for this service and the long waiting list at those facilities. Shelton Merrell, regional planner with Southwest Tennessee Development District, presented the commission with an attorney general’s opinion, which discusses slaughter houses and exemptions from county zoning regulations. The commission voted to table the resolution for 30 days to allow time to seek legal advice and put additional provisions in place.

Finally, the commission brought up old business, which included revisiting resolutions to amend Hardeman County’s zoning regarding solar farm regulations. Chairman Eddie Moore suggested putting a stop to all solar farm applications to allow time for citizens to voice their concerns to their commissioners before any solar zoning amendments are made. There was much discussion on how this would be implemented and the commission took time to listen to some citizens thoughts on the issue before voting to table the solar farm regulations that were presented to them.

Previously, at the April 2022 Planning Commission meeting, Shelton Merrell presented the commission with different options to update Hardeman County’s solar zoning. The item was tabled so the commission could review and study the options. Then at the May 2022 meeting of the Hardeman County Commission, Commissioner Bobby Wright submitted a zoning amendment petition to the county clerk. The petition was created and signed by Hardeman County residents concerned about the county’s solar zoning, but the petition was never turned over to the planning commission for review.

You may view the full meeting below.

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