The Fabius Township Planning Commission convened on Tuesday night to review a special land use application from Three Lakes Solar, LLC, a subsidiary of EDP Renewables. The proposal outlines a substantial 178-megawatt solar array paired with a 122-megawatt Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), intended for deployment across privately owned agricultural parcels designated within the township’s Solar Overlay District.
Over 300 residents were in attendance, and the meeting featured hours of public testimony.
Proponents, including some multi-generation farmers facing financial hardship, highlighted solar lease income as a vital tool for keeping their farms operational. Conversely, numerous residents voiced strong opposition, citing concerns over property values, environmental impact, and aesthetics, with one resident emphatically stating they did not want to “spend the rest of my life looking at this crap.”
Following extensive review of the hundreds-page application and all supporting documentation—which included detailed studies on noise limits (capped at 45 decibels at property lines), safety protocols, fencing, and a financially assured decommissioning agreement—the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend the project for final approval.
The proposal now moves to the Fabius Township Board for a final decision.
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