NABB, Ind. — Alex Schaefer and his family has lived on nearly 40 acres of land in Nabb, Indiana since 2017.
He took WHAS11 on a tour of his land, pointing to the acres of soy beans behind his family home.
"Everywhere the soy beans are is going to be solar panels," Schaefer said.
California-based energy company Orion Renewables is the developer of the Idlewild Solar Project, that plans to install solar panels on 2,050 acres of land in Jefferson County, right up against the Clark County line.
Schaefer says if this plan is passed, three sides of his home would look out to solar panels.
"It'll look like we're In Star Wars, in an industrial wasteland," he said.
Schaffer is against the solar panels because of the appearance, the fear of the noise from the panels disrupting his animals, and the potential for fires on his land.
Orion addressed the Board of Zoning Appeals Tuesday night, both a lecture hall and an overflow room full of people who wanted to share their thoughts on the solar farms.
"Over 400 petitions signed and I'd like to present them to you," said Kerri Vaughn, a property owner who's signed a lease with Orion Renewables out of Oakland, Ca. "On behalf of the silent majority I'm asking you to vote yes on this incredible opportunity."
Orion said the solar farm will provide enough energy to fuel 41,000 Indiana homes.
Property owners who've signed leases with Orion Renewables, like farmer Gary Goode, said it's their decision what to do with their land.
"I started farming when I was in high school and I'm looking for an alternative way to help my farm and I think I've found that here," Goode said.
Schaefer, on the other hand, doesn't see it that way. He said his family moved to their land for quiet, and doesn't think that will happen if the solar farm is built.
"As a whole to the community, I don't see a benefit," he said.
The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals heard Orion's request for an "exemption" to the unified development ordinance for 3,890 acres and heard residents' comments at Tuesday's meeting.
The board was scheduled to vote, but because the board was unable to get through the list of 47 people who signed up to speak about the solar panels, they decided to move the vote to Nov. 7, to make sure everyone is heard.
The surveyor's office said Orion would still need other votes by the county commissioners before construction can start.
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