Lincoln Co. residents speak out against solar farm at hearing

LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. — Lincoln County residents tried to fight off a controversial plan to build a huge solar farm Monday night.

A company wants to put 26,000 panels on Webbs Road in Denver across from the Sailview neighborhood.

Residents are taking their argument one step further, alleging the project would violate what county ordinances state.

This comes after they argued the project would cause property values to depreciate.

The auditorium at the Civic Center in Lincolnton was packed with people who live in the Sailview neighborhood and others near the proposed plot.

The residents were testifying as self-proclaimed experts with backgrounds in county work, electrical work or consulting.

They argued the county would violate a building ordinance if leaders approved a permit to build the solar farm.

Supporters of the project hear the arguments and said they wonder if they are fighting against the wrong thing.

"The real concern is, we have sympathy for the applicant but the real concern here is this is such a densely populated and significantly priced homes that they are going to be impacted," said George Arena, who is against the project.

"I don't know why this place, this solar farm has become so bad, but the alternative of what's going to be here is not so nice," said Glen Fiscus, who supports the project.

The county planner said Sarta, the company building the solar panels, has already made sure the project would work with county ordinances.

Monday night was the public hearing to allow county leaders hear concerns and arguments before deciding to move forward on the project.

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