JONESVILLE — Ranger Power has filed a lawsuit against the Fayette Township Board and Planning Commission, officially appealing the municipality’s denial of Heartwood Solar II.
The complaint was filed in Hillsdale County Circuit Court on July 13. A hearing date hadn’t yet been scheduled as of Aug. 18.
Heartwood II is represented by attorney Michael Richard Vogt of Troy, who specializes in real estate disputes with Dickinson Wright. Fayette Township is represented by attorney Joseph Colaianne.
Vogt didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an email to The Daily News, Colaianne wrote his firm was recently retained and is reviewing the case.
“This is an appeal of a denial of a special land use, and we will respond accordingly,” Colaianne wrote. “At this time we have no comment, but may at a later date after speaking with our client representatives.”
The Fayette Township Planning Commission unanimously voted to deny a special land use application from Ranger Power after months of public hearings June 1. The meeting drew an estimated 100 attendees, with roughly two dozen residents speaking during public comment.
Commissioner Jane Munson worried about the cumulative impact of local solar developments, noting the previously approved Heartwood I.
Trustee/Commissioner Scott Playford later moved to deny the application, citing conflicts with zoning ordinance. Throughout the review process, officials noted concerns about the conversion of agricultural land to industrial use; traffic and infrastructure; emergency response preparedness; decommissioning plans; and potential long-term effects on the environment.
— Contact reporter Corey Murray at cmurray@hillsdale.net or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, at @cmurrayhdn.
This article originally appeared on Hillsdale Daily News: Ranger Power appeals Fayette Township denial of Heartwood II
Reporting by Corey J. Murray, Hillsdale Daily News / Hillsdale Daily News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Corey J. Murray, Hillsdale Daily News | USA TODAY Network
