Frederick County Halts Solar Farm Applications For 6 Months

FREDERICK, Md. (AP) -- Frederick County Executive Jan Gardner has put a six-month hold on new applications for large solar installations in the county.

The Frederick News-Post reports (bit.ly/1nwf8Fu) that Gardner signed the executive order Friday. She says a surge in applications in recent months has raised concern about appropriate locations for such projects and their effect on neighboring properties, especially in residential areas.

She says some people also have questioned whether large solar arrays should be allowed on land preserved for agriculture.

The county zoning board approved a 55-acre array in October. Three others, ranging from 130 to 220 acres, have been proposed.

The order doesn't affect residential or local government projects.

Attorney Andrew DiPasquale, representing one of the pending projects, says the moratorium could cause developers to look elsewhere.
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Information from: The Frederick (Md.) News-Post, http://www.fredericknewspost.com

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