The Vernon Parish Police Jury unanimously approved amendments to its solar farm regulations during a special called meeting Friday, Oct. 23, addressing property setbacks, screening requirements, enforcement provisions and other concerns raised by nearby landowners.
The meeting, held at 3 p.m. at the Parish Government Complex in Leesville, took place as the Leesville Homecoming Parade passed outside the building. A smaller group of landowners and several Leesville business representatives attended.
The Police Jury considered amendments to Ordinance No. 9 of 2025, which regulates the development of land for the construction and operation of solar farms in unincorporated areas of Vernon Parish.
District Attorney and Parish Attorney Terry Lambright presented additional recommended changes to the proposed ordinance. Those recommendations were incorporated into the amended ordinance and approved unanimously.
Among the changes were revisions to requirements for opaque visual barriers and vegetative screening. The amendments removed references to earthen berms or solid fencing and specified that vegetative barriers consist of native vegetation, including trees and shrubs.
A new provision under permits and fees states that violations of the ordinance may be grounds for suspension or revocation of a permit issued under its requirements.
The amendments also established a separate enforcement section, incorporating provisions previously included under maintenance requirements.
Additional enforcement language addresses the abatement of nuisances and applicable state or federal laws. The ordinance also provides that a court may award costs and attorney fees associated with enforcing its provisions.
The amended ordinance establishes a 500-foot setback from property lines, with an option for landowners to grant a waiver. Setbacks from public roadways were increased to 300 feet.
The frequency of decommissioning bond reviews was changed from every five years to every three years to meet state minimum requirements.
Other provisions include requiring at least one public community meeting before parish permit approval, along with traffic, safety and maintenance agreements.
The amendments followed concerns raised by landowners near the proposed Treaty Oak Clean Energy industrial solar farm, a project encompassing more than 10,000 acres.
Nearby homeowners had requested setbacks of one-half mile between the solar development and their properties.
Treaty Oak Clean Energy Project Director Nick Jasman previously told landowners that there was probably a suitable distance somewhere between 500 feet and one-half mile.
The Police Jury retained the 500-foot property line setback while adopting additional protections addressing screening, enforcement and other development requirements.
During public comments, Stacy Merchant spoke on behalf of nearby landowners. He said residents welcomed the potential addition of tax revenue from the project but remained concerned about the effects on their properties and quality of life.
Merchant thanked Police Jury members for listening to the concerns of nearby homeowners.
Following the vote, Geralyn Janice, chairperson of the Vernon Parish Economic Development District, announced the addition of a new natural gas pipeline intended to serve a new industrial area.