The Bellefontaine City Council held its bi-monthly meeting Tuesday night in council chambers. at the top of the agenda, Mayor Dave Crissman swore in three new city employees.
First, out the gate, the Mayor swore in a new Fire Chief, Brian Wilson.
Wilson had been Interim Chief after Chief Fissel retired earlier this year.
Watch the swearing-in below:
Mayor Crissman then swore in two new Bellefontaine Firefighter/Paramedics, Slayde Wilcoxon and Matthew McMillen.
Watch their swearing-in below:
After the ceremonies. business went on as usual.
The council heard the following legislation and took action:
Ordinances for 1st reading:
- 24-86 a. An ordinance making temporary appropriations for current expenses and other expenditures during the fiscal year beginning January 1, 2025, and ending December 31, 2025, and declaring an emergency. (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-87 b. An ordinance authorizing the purchase of miscellaneous supplies, equipment, and services for use in 2025, and declaring an emergency in the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio. (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote. James abstained from voting due to the issue affecting a family member.)
- 24-88 c. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation of the Bellefontaine Municipal Court Judge for 2025 and declaring an emergency. (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-89 d. An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the permanent appropriations ordinance for purposes of Court, Cemetery, Parks & Myeerah and declaring an emergency. (Passed on first reading with a 100% vote. Adopted)
- 24-90 e. An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the permanent appropriations ordinance for purposes of ARPA retention bonuses for parks and declaring an emergency. (Passed on first reading with a 100% vote. Adopted)
- 24-91 f. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for the President of Council, Council Members, Clerk of Council, Mayor, Law Director, and Auditor for 2025 and declaring an emergency. (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-92 g. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (2025 Supervisory Wage Ordinance) (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-93 h. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (2025 Service Workers Pay Ordinance) (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-94 i. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain hourly employees of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (2025 Clerical Workers Pay Ordinance) (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-95 j. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for certain Bellefontaine Municipal Court employees and declaring an emergency. (2025 Bellefontaine Municipal Court Wage Ordinance) (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- R24-96 k. A resolution authorizing the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, to order the Logan County Auditor to remove an additional tax lien on certain real estate taxes as stated herein. (Adopted with a 100% vote.)
- 24-97 l. An ordinance approving a new collective bargaining agreement between The International Association of Fire Fighters and the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, for fire safety services commencing January 1, 2025, and declaring an emergency. (Tabled until next meeting with a 100% vote.)
- 24-98 m. An ordinance approving a new collective bargaining agreement between The Ohio Patrolman’s Benevolent Association and the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, for police safety services commencing January 1, 2025, and declaring an emergency. (Passed on first reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-99 n. An ordinance approving and adopting new planning and zoning regulations regarding solar energy systems for the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, to be codified as Chapter 1166 of the Codified Ordinances of said city. (See Below) (Passed on first reading ONLY with a split vote 4-3. Spring, Aler, and James voted “no”)
Ordinances for 2nd reading
- 24-80 a. An ordinance authorizing the service-safety director to enter into a contract with Motorola Solutions, Inc. for a fire station alerting system and declaring an emergency. (Passed on second reading ONLY with a 100% vote.)
- 24-81 b. An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the permanent appropriations ordinance for purposes of ARPA retention bonuses and declaring an emergency. (Passed on second and final reading by a 100% vote and adopted.)
- 24-82 c. An ordinance making supplemental appropriations and amending the permanent appropriations ordinance for purposes of the Park Department and declaring an emergency. (Passed on second and final reading by a 100% vote and adopted.)
- 24-84 d. An ordinance authorizing the Service-Safety Director to enter into a contract with CHA Consulting, Inc. for professional services related to the Bellefontaine Regional Airport and declaring an emergency. (Passed on second reading ONLY with a 100% vote. James abstained from voting due to the issue affecting a family member.)
- 24-85 e. An ordinance amending Chapter 1127 Enforcement and Violations of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, Ohio, and declaring an emergency. (Passed on second reading ONLY by a 100% vote.)
Ordinances for 3rd reading
- 24-78 a. An ordinance establishing and providing for compensation for the President of Council, Council Members, Clerk of Council, Mayor, Law Director, Auditor, and Treasurer for 2026 and declaring an emergency. (Passed on third and final reading by a 6-1 vote. Davis voted “no”. Adopted)
The meeting was adjourned and the next meeting of the Bellefontaine City Council will be held on November 26 at 7:30 PM.
CHAPTER 1166
Solar Energy Systems- GENERAL PROVISIONS
1166.01 Purpose. It is the purpose of this chapter, to promote the health, safety, and welfare of the community by establishing regulations governing the siting, construction, and maintenance of Solar Energy Systems.
1166.02 Definitions. For the purposes of this chapter, “Solar Energy Systems” shall include the following:
a) Accessory Solar Energy: A solar collection system consisting of one or more roof/building mounted, ground/pole mounted, and/or other structure mounted solar collector devices and solar-related equipment, and is intended to primarily reduce on-site consumption of utility power. A system is considered an accessory solar energy system only if it supplies electrical or thermal power solely for on-site use, except that when a property upon which the system is installed also receives electrical power supplied by a utility company, excess electrical power generated and not presently needed for on-site use may be used by the utility company.
b) Principal Solar Energy Production Facility: An area of land or other area used for a solar collection system principally used to capture solar energy and convert it to electrical energy. These production facilities primarily produce electricity to be used off-site. Principal solar energy production facilities consist of one or more roof/building mounted, ground/pole mounted, and/or other structure-mounted solar collector devices, solar-related equipment, and other accessory structures and buildings including light reflectors, concentrators, and heat exchangers, substations, electrical infrastructure, transmission lines and other appurtenant structures and facilities. Examples include “Small Solar Facility” and “Community Solar Facility” as defined by statute or herein.
c) Solar Energy Equipment: Items for the purpose of generation, transmission, and storage of electricity, including but not limited to a solar photovoltaic cell, solar panels, lines, pumps, inverter(s), batteries, mounting brackets, racking, framing and/or foundation used for or intended to be used for the collection of solar energy.
d) Solar Photovoltaic (PV): The technology that uses a semiconductor to convert light directly into electricity.
e) Clear Fall Zone (Solar Energy): An area surrounding a ground/pole mounted or other structure-mounted solar energy system into which the system and/or components might fall due to inclement weather, poor maintenance, faulty construction methods, or any other condition causing the structure’s failure that shall remain unobstructed and confined within the property lines of the lot where the system is located. The purpose of the zone being that if the system should fall or otherwise become damaged, the falling structure will be confined to the lot and will not intrude onto a neighboring property.
f) Small Solar Facility: Pursuant to ORC 713.081 (A) (2), “Small Solar Facility” means solar panels and associated facilities with a single interconnection to the electrical grid and designed
for, or capable of, operation at an aggregate capacity of less than 50 MW.
g) Community Solar: Also known as shared solar, or solar gardens, is an energy model that allows customers to buy or lease part of a larger off-site shared solar photovoltaic (PV) system. For the
purposes of this Resolution, “Community Solar” is considered to be a “Principal Solar Energy Production Facility”.
1166.03 Accessory Solar Energy Systems
a) Accessory solar energy systems are installed to reduce the on-site consumption of utility-supplied electricity.
b) An accessory solar energy system shall be considered a permitted accessory use in any district provided all requirements and regulations as set forth below are met.
c) No person shall cause, allow, or maintain the use of an accessory solar energy system without first having obtained a zoning permit from the City Engineer.
d) All accessory solar energy systems shall meet the following requirements:
1. An accessory solar energy system is permitted in all zoning districts as an accessory to a principal use.
2. An accessory solar energy system shall not be used for the generation of power for the sale or donation of energy to other users, although this provision shall not be interpreted to prohibit the sale or donation of excess power generated from time to time to the local utility company or the sale of donation of power as part of a net metering or similar arrangement. Net metering or similar arrangements are those where electricity produced
by the accessory solar energy system displaces electricity that would otherwise be purchased from an electric utility or supplier for the lot where the accessory system is located. Net metering or similar arrangements shall be incidental and secondary to the production for on-site use.
3. Accessory solar energy systems with a generation output of five hundred (500) watts or less, or a combination of accessory solar energy systems with an aggregate generation output of five hundred (500) watts or less, shall not require a permit and shall be exempt from the requirements of this section, provided that the system is independent and disconnected from the electrical service(s) supplied to the lot on which the accessory solar energy system is located.
4. Roof/Building-mounted accessory solar energy systems:
a. Shall not extend beyond the perimeter (or edge of the roof) of the building on which it is located.
b. May be mounted to a principal or accessory building.
c. The height of the solar energy system and building to which it is mounted may not exceed the ridgeline of the roof for hip, gable, and gambrel roofs.
5. Ground/Pole mounted accessory solar energy systems:
a. Shall be no taller than seventy-five (75) percent of the maximum building height allowed in that zoning district for accessory buildings.
b. Shall be permitted in the rear or side yard only.
c. Shall be erected within an established clear fall zone.
d. The minimum setback distance from the property lines for structures comprising the solar energy systems and all related equipment shall be at least one hundred ten (110) percent of the height of any structure or at least twenty (20) feet from the nearest property line, whichever is greater.
6. Other structure-mounted accessory solar energy systems:
a. Shall be no taller than seventy-five (75) percent of the maximum building height allowed in that zoning district for accessory buildings.
b. Shall be permitted in the rear or side yard only.
c. Shall be erected within an established clear fall zone.
d. The minimum setback distance from the property lines for structures comprising solar energy systems and all related equipment shall be at least one hundred ten (110) percent of the height of any structure or at least twenty (20) feet from the nearest property line, whichever is greater.
7. Accessory solar energy systems shall be designed and located in order to prevent reflective glare toward any inhabited structure on adjacent properties as well as adjacent street right of ways.
8. Accessory solar energy systems and all solar energy equipment that are no longer functioning shall be completely removed from the property within six (6) months from the date they are no longer producing electricity, become damaged, discontinued or broken. Any earth disturbance as a result of the removal of the accessory solar energy system shall be graded and reseeded within thirty (30) days of removal.
9. In addition to the site plan required for any zoning permit or conditional use permit, the following shall also be submitted at the time of application and shall include:
a. Height of the proposed solar energy system(s) at maximum tilt.
b. Evidence of established setbacks of 1.1. times the height of any ground/pole mounted or other structure-mounted solar energy systems and “clear fall zone”.
c. Proof of notice to the electric utility company regarding the proposal.
1166.04 Principal Solar Energy Production Facilities
a) Principal solar energy production facilities are principally designed to produce greater levels of electrical energy, either for consumers with higher energy demand levels or designed primarily to
produce energy to be supplied directly to the electrical grid.
b) Principal solar energy production facilities shall only be located in an M-2 General Manufacturing District after approval by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a conditional use. The City Engineer shall issue the final zoning permit. No zoning permit and/or conditional use permit shall become final until all of the requirements set forth in this Chapter 1166 have been satisfied.
c) It is not the purpose of this regulation to regulate a major utility facility as defined by the Ohio Power Siting Board (50 MW or greater).
d) In addition to any requirements stipulated by the City Engineer or the Board of Zoning Appeals, all principal solar energy production facilities shall meet the following minimum requirements:
1. The proposed principal solar energy production facility must be located on a lot of at least ten (10) acres in size.
2. For purposes of determining lot coverage, the total surface area of all ground/pole-mounted solar energy systems including cells, panels, and water collector devices shall be considered impervious and shall count toward the maximum percent of a lot to be occupied.
3. The maximum percent of a lot to be occupied shall be seventy-five percent (75%) as determined by the combined gross area of all lots/parcels comprising the total project
footprint.
4. All on-site utility, distribution, and transmission lines, that are the responsibility of the principal solar energy production facility to maintain, shall be placed underground.
5. Roof/Building-mounted solar energy systems: a. Shall not extend beyond the perimeter (or edge of the roof) of the building on which it is located.
b. May be mounted to a principal or accessory building.
c. The height of the solar energy system and building to which it is mounted may not exceed the ridgeline of the roof for hip, gable, and gambrel roofs.
6. Ground/Pole mounted solar energy systems:
a. Shall be no taller than seventy-five (75) percent of the maximum building height allowed in that zoning district for accessory buildings.
b. Shall be erected within an established clear fall zone.
7. Other structure-mounted solar energy systems:
a. Shall be no taller than seventy-five (75) percent of the maximum building height allowed in that zoning district for accessory buildings.
b. Shall be erected within an established clear fall zone.
8. Solar energy systems shall be designed and located in order to prevent reflective glare towards any inhabited building on adjacent properties as well as adjacent street right-of-way. Applicants must complete and provide the results of the Solar Glare Hazard Analysis Tool (SGHAT), or an equivalent report, for neighboring lots and right-of-way.
9. The proposed principal solar energy production facility must comply with any applicable airport zoning overlay and height restrictions, and the ability to comply with the FAA regulations pertaining to hazards to air navigation must be demonstrated.
10. All mechanical equipment of solar energy systems including any structure for batteries or storage cells, shall be completely enclosed by a minimum seven (7) foot high fence with a self-locking gate, and provide screening in accordance with this Chapter.
11. Screening shall be established in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter, be maintained in good condition, and free of all advertising or other signs. In addition to any other screening requirements of this Chapter, the following standards shall apply:
a. Any buildings and solar energy equipment shall be screened from ground-level view from any adjacent road right-of-way, any adjacent lot with residential use, and any residential zoning district.
b. Screening shall consist of vegetation, mounding, natural landforms, or any combination thereof. Screening may be supplemented by fencing or walls, but shall not be the primary method.
i. Fencing shall incorporate gaps or spaces of at least six (6) inches by six (6) inches to allow passage of small mammals.
c. Screening shall be a minimum of eight (8) feet in height.
d. Mounding shall be seeded and planted with trees. The base of the mound shall not be graded at an angle greater than forty-five degrees (45°).
e. Screening shall be clustered around groups of solar energy equipment and buildings and not the entirety of the lot to allow for “wildlife corridors” where wildlife can traverse the lot.
12. Buffering shall be established in accordance with the provisions of this Chapter. In addition to any other buffering requirements of this Chapter, including those established by the Board of Zoning Appeals, the following minimum standards shall apply:
a. A one hundred and twenty (120) foot setback along stream boundaries (including ephemeral and intermittent streams).
b. A one hundred and twenty (120) foot setback from Category 1 and 2 wetland boundaries.
c. A three hundred (300) foot setback from Category 3 wetland boundaries.
13. Setback requirements for any component of the solar energy system, shall be:
a. One hundred and fifty (150) feet from lot lines of non-participating lots.
b. Three hundred (300) feet from any dwelling. c. One hundred and fifty (150) feet from the edge of any adjacent road right-of-way.
14. Ingress and egress driveways, interior access/maintenance roads, and any off-street parking and circulation routes shall be constructed with a durable and dust-free surface.
15. Areas that are undeveloped, areas not required for regular maintenance, and other spaces not devoted to the active use of the lot (such as in between rows of ground-mounted solar panels) shall be landscaped with vegetation in such a manner as to prevent soil erosion by wind or rain or the spreading of invasive species and noxious weeds. Plantings shall follow the standards set forth in the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)
Guidance for Proposed Solar Energy Facilities in Ohio.
16. Solar energy systems and all solar energy equipment that are no longer functioning shall be completely removed from the property within twelve (12) months from the date they are no longer producing electricity, become damaged, discontinued or broken. Any earth disturbance as a result of the removal of the ground-mounted solar energy system shall be graded and reseeded within thirty (30) days of removal.
17. In addition to the site plan required for any zoning permit or conditional use permit, the following shall also be submitted at the time of the application and shall include:
a. Height of the proposed solar energy system(s) at maximum tilt.
b. Evidence of established setbacks and “clear fall zone”.
c. Proof of notice to the electric utility regarding the proposal.
d. Construction plans including a drainage plan, methods of stormwater management, and sediment and erosion plans, shall be in strict compliance with the standards set forth by the City Engineer. The construction plans must be approved by the City Engineer before a zoning certificate can be applied for.
e. A narrative of expected and potential impacts to ecological, cultural, archeological, and agricultural resources and impacts to neighboring land uses.
f. A landscaping plan.
g. A screening and buffering plan, including any wildlife corridors.
h. A narrative addressing the expected lifespan of the facility, expected regular maintenance activities, and an end-of-life decommissioning plan in accordance with section 1166.05 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine.
i. A list of all adjacent property owners, their parcel numbers, and addresses.
e) The City Engineer and the Board of Zoning Appeals shall use Ohio Revised Code and Ohio Administrative Code rules and regulations as guidelines for additional restrictions on all principal solar energy production facilities, including without limitation Ohio Administrative Code Rule 4906-4-09.
1166.05 Decommissioning plan for solar generation required
a) For purposes of this Chapter 1166 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine, “applicant” means an applicant for a zoning permit issued by the City Engineer, as approved by the Board of Zoning Appeals as a conditional use, to construct, operate, or maintain a principal solar energy production facility, and includes any subsequent person to whom the permit is transferred.
b) At least sixty (60) days prior to submission to the Board of Zoning Appeals, the applicant shall submit a comprehensive decommissioning plan for review and approval by the City Engineer, or its designated third-party reviewer. The applicant shall be responsible for the review fees (as designated or on file in the office of the City Engineer) for the decommissioning plan. No zoning permit and/or conditional use permit shall become final until all requirements set forth in this Chapter 1166 have been satisfied.1166.051 Decommissioning plan requirements and estimated costs
a) The decommissioning plan submitted to the City Engineer under section 1166.05(B) of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Bellefontaine shall be prepared by a professional engineer registered with the state board of registration for professional engineers and surveyors. The City Engineer may reject the engineer chosen by the applicant and require the applicant to choose another qualified engineer.
b) The plan shall contain the following:
(1) A list of all parties responsible for decommissioning;
(2) A schedule of decommissioning activities, not to extend beyond twelve (12) months from the date the principal solar energy production facility ceases operation;
(3) An estimate of the full costs of decommissioning the principal solar energy production facility, including the proper disposal of all facility components and restoration of the land on which the facility is located to its preconstruction state. The estimate shall not take into account the salvage value of any materials from the facility.
1166.052 Decommissioning estimated costs recalculation. The estimate of the total decommissioning costs of a principal solar energy production facility, as described in division (b)(3) of section 1166.051 of the Codified Ordinance of the City of Bellefontaine, shall be recalculated every five (5) years by an engineer retained by the applicant.
1166.06 Decommissioning performance bond required
a) Prior to beginning construction, the applicant shall post a performance bond to ensure that funds are available for the decommissioning of the facility.
b) The City of Bellefontaine shall be the obligee of the bond.
1166.061 Decommissioning performance bond amount
a) The performance bond required by section 1166.06 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine shall be equal to the estimate of the costs of decommissioning included in the decommissioning plan described in section 1166.052 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine.
1166.062 Decommissioning performance bond update
a) The performance bond for the decommissioning of a principal solar energy production facility shall be updated every five (5) years, based on the most recent estimates, as described in section 1166.061 of the Codified Ordinances of the City of Bellefontaine.
b) If the costs of decommissioning are greater in the most recent estimate than the costs of the immediately preceding estimate, the performance bond shall be increased proportionately.
c) If the costs of decommissioning are lower in the most recent estimate than the costs of the immediately preceding estimate, the performance bond shall not be decreased.
Watch the entire meeting HERE.
