After months of public opposition, a southwest Michigan township has voted to deny an expansion for a utility-scale solar project.

The Fayette Township Planning Commission voted Monday night to deny a special land use permit sought by Ranger Power, receiving a standing ovation from the community members filling the Jonesville High School auditorium for the vote.

“It was important in so many ways,” Fayette Township resident Stephen Oleszkowicz, who helped organize opposition to the project, told The Center Square. “It helped unite support for the Planning Commission instead of pitting the residents against them. It sent a clear message to the applicant: ‘We are done.’”

Ranger Power, which currently runs Heartwood Solar I, was hoping Heartwood Solar II and Heartwood Solar III would be approved to expand solar development onto hundreds more acres of farmland across Hillsdale County. If approved, the township could have seen had than 20% of its 13,000 acres wrapped up in the project.

The township’s denial follows months of contentious public meetings that drew opposition from hundreds of residents and local elected officials.

“It does not satisfy the provisions,” the commission stated in its motion to deny on Monday night.

One of those provisions for denial included “vast use of farmland converted to industrial solar,” among many others.

The planning commission’s decision was influenced in part by its recent adoption of a Compatible Renewable Energy Ordinance, which established local zoning standards for renewable energy developments in the township. That CREO was adopted as part of the effort to prevent the expansion.

Despite the township’s rejection of the permit, Ranger Power could still appeal the decision to the Michigan Public Service Commission for an override.

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