MONTAGUE — Geronimo Power project manager Kendra Harrington
confirmed Tuesday to the White River Township board that the company
sent the township a digital copy of its application for a permit for its
planned solar energy facility.
She added that the paper copy
of the application should be received by the township by the end of this
week, and that a digital copy will be posted to the project website
soon. She declined direct comment to the Mirror following the meeting.
The
project website states that it will encompass "approximately 1,500
acres" and be a 150-megawatt project. If it gains the necessary
approval, construction would begin in 2027 and the facility would be
operational by 2029.
Under the township's current renewable
energy ordinance, it seems unlikely the project would gain township
approval, and multiple public commenters urged the board to turn down
the application on that basis. However, under Public Act 233, Geronimo
and any other renewable energy developer is permitted to petition the
Michigan Public Services Commission for approval if the municipality
involved has more restrictive ordinances than those of the state.
Public
comments about the proposed project again indicated a split between
opponents and supporters. Paul Schroeder, who owns farmland in the
township, expressed support for the proposal, saying landowners have the
right to lease with Geronimo. Opponents stated the project is too large
and would harm tourism and property values in the township.
In
other business Tuesday, zoning administrator Bill Schmiege reported
that a property owner who wanted to build an event space on his Lost
Valley Road property has requested his escrow money be returned.
Schmiege said the township would consider this a withdrawal of the
application for the space if completed. He added that the property is
now listed for sale.
There will be a Nov. 4 election in the
township with a millage request from the White Lake Ambulance Authority.
The WLAA will request a renewal of its current 1.9-mill rate ($1.90 per
$1,000 of taxable value) this November, which would take the current
rate through 2030. The rate is currently in place through 2026 after
last being approved in 2021.
The board stated that the millage
request is being made well in advance in part because of current state
house bills that, if passed, would limit millage requests to November
elections. The WLAA would have to wait until November 2026 to make the
request if that bill is passed.
The board approved a $500
expenditure to plant two more trees at Hubbard Cemetery as part of an
ongoing beautification process there. Township resident Jon Howell has
told the board he will aid in the planting of trees.
