TIFTON — The Tifton City Council approved the proposed project for a solar farm on Tifton Eldorado Road at Monday’s regular meeting.

Application Z15-000-010 for the rezoning of 0 Tifton Eldorado Road from the current zoning classification of M-R (multiple residential) to S-A (suburban agriculture), 7.11 acres, was submitted by the Tift County Development Authority.

The application was unanimously approved by the council among other items on the consent agenda. However, resident Veronica Robinson, along with resident Mary Moses, questioned the proposal and was concerned about the solar farm being built in their area. Robinson expressed that they wanted more information. She said they were informed to be present at the meeting to speak about their concerns.

Apologizing, City Manager Larry Riner noted that a public hearing was advertised to be held that night on the application, however, it was not listed on the agenda. Therefore, he said they needed to reschedule the public hearing for that night. The council apologized to Robinson and Moses and accepted the motion to rescind their previous vote and then held the public hearing.

Speaking in favor of the application, Joseph Carter, representing Sparrow Hawk Renewal Energy on the local level, introduced Grier Newlin and Jason Green with Sparrow Hawk and Amber Wismer of United Renewable Energy, who gave an overview of the proposed project.

The solar farm is part of the Georgia Power Renewal Energy project with plans to put a 1 megawatt solar electricity system on the Tifton Eldorado Road property. The project will take up about 5 acres. This will provide electricity for approximately 125 to 150 homes.

Newlin noted they are actually getting the property back on the tax roll for the city. He said a solar farm is the best neighbor that “you can possibly have.” He ensured that this is a quiet, safe and secure site project.

Since the solar farm will be located across the street from Charles Spencer Elementary School, Newlin informed the council that the farm will be used as an educational tool as well for local students. He said they have had a tremendous reception from everyone.

As far as the construction process, Wismer explained they’re leaving a nice, thick vegetative buffer from the road, so visually there is a screen already in place. She said it’s a short construction period and there will be little noise. She noted they don’t need a huge crew for construction, so there won’t be a negative impact with parking.

Also, Wismer said they will visit the site a couple of times a year and will maintain the property. After Mayor Jamie Cater expressed concerns about the airport and the potential glare from the panels, she noted the solar panels absorb more sunlight than they reflect. She reassured the council that the solar farm won’t affect the nearby airport. She said a study has been done on this.

“We want it to be a positive thing,” Wismer said about the project.

When city attorney Rob Wilmot asked if anyone would like to speak in opposition of the application, Robinson said they don’t have enough information to speak for or against the project. The council decided to recess the public hearing and allow Robinson and Moses to speak with the representatives in more details about the solar farm.

After the public hearing resumed, no one spoke in opposition of the application. Robinson told The Gazette she felt more informed about the project after speaking with the representatives and agreed the solar farm would be a positive thing for the area.

The council voted to approve the application. The citizens of Tifton will not incur an increase in the cost for services.