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November 5th Huron County Planning Commission Meeting Minutes
Russ Survance
Thu, 27 Nov 2025 08:15:47 EST
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Meeting basics
The Planning Commission met November 5th, 2025 at 6:59 p.m. in Room 305 at 250 E. Huron Avenue, Bad Axe, with Chairman Bill Renn presiding and a roll call showing seven members present, two absent, and roughly thirty guests.
The agenda and the October 1st, 2025 regular meeting minutes were both approved by motion.
Public comment themes
Many speakers raised concerns about solar development, including alleged conflicts of interest among Planning Commissioners, potential violation of state law through acreage caps, effects on farmland, property values, wildlife, and community character, and whether Huron County has already "sacrificed" enough land for wind projects.
Others thanked the Commission for its work and emphasized property rights and landowner choice, while a county commissioner highlighted fairness in how the 15,000 acres for solar were allocated and the need to rewrite the zoning ordinance with professional help.
Communications and reports
The Commission received notices and technical documents related to master plan updates and battery energy storage safety from EPA and NFPA sources, forwarded by EMS Director Randy Miller.
Under committee reports, Jeff Smith noted that updated state campground rules from EGLE are pending and may be fully implemented in early 2026.
Key decisions on solar and host agreements
After discussion about how the original 15,000 acre county zoned solar cap was determined and whether a new limit was needed, the Commission voted by roll call to keep the cap at 15,000 acres (6 yea, 1 nay, 2 absent).
The Commission also voted unanimously (7 yea, 0 nay, 2 absent) to add Host Community Agreement language to the zoning ordinance consistent with Public Act 233 of 2023, Section 227, subject to review and approval by Corporation Counsel.
New business, PA 116, and closing items
Members began reviewing the 2020 Planning Commission bylaws, focusing on the conflict of interest section, and agreed to continue that review in December; they also postponed a broader zoning ordinance rewrite discussion due to the meeting's length.
Two PA 116 (farmland development rights) enrollment applications were recommended for approval by motion, one in Sheridan Township and one in Pt. Austin Township, and during final comments more speakers reiterated conflict of interest concerns about officials with solar or energy related agreements.
A new gravel mining operation on Atwater Road was noted as underway, with a special use permit and public hearing to come, and the meeting adjourned at 9:17 p.m., with the next regular Planning Commission meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 3rd, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in Room 305.
