Lexington Council passes solar rules: Farmland protections, strict 1% cap

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) — Following months of intensive public debate over renewable energy and farmland preservation, a broad coalition of solar industry leaders, conservation advocates, and labor representatives is commending the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council for passing a new regulatory framework for solar development.

The Solar Zoning Ordinance Text Amendment, approved by Council on Sept. 10, creates a structured legal path for future solar facilities while placing strict limits on where and how much development can occur in Fayette County’s iconic rural landscape.

A strict ceiling on development

Central to the compromise is a hard cap on large-scale solar facilities, restricting installations to no more than 1% of Fayette County’s total land area—roughly 1,800 acres. Council leaders and stakeholders emphasized that the cap represents an absolute ceiling, not a development target.

To address persistent community concerns regarding the preservation of agricultural acreage, the ordinance requires that any qualifying solar installations built in agricultural zones incorporate “agrivoltaics.” Under this dual-use model, land hosting solar arrays must remain actively used for agricultural purposes, such as livestock grazing, beekeeping, pollinator habitats, or compatible crop production.

“The Council answered an important land-use question with a clear and cautious yes,” said Matt Partymiller, president of the Kentucky Solar Energy Industries Association. “Lexington can make room for responsible solar development while maintaining agricultural use and protecting the character of Fayette County. This is a well-considered regulatory framework, not a blank check for development.”

Balancing green energy and farmland preservation

The vote follows extensive deliberations that began earlier this year, involving a dedicated Council working group, public hearings, and detailed evaluations by the Lexington Planning Commission and local advisory boards.

Conservation leaders noted the final measure avoids an “all-or-nothing” approach to clean energy expansion.

“The most important word is balance,” said Judith Humble, a member of the Sierra Club Kentucky Chapter Executive Committee. “The Council did not choose one priority and discard the other. It created a limited, locally controlled way for clean-energy development to occur while keeping agriculture active and protecting Fayette County’s land. This is a careful first step, not an unlimited expansion.”

Lane Boldman, executive director and legislative agent for the Kentucky Conservation Committee, echoed that view, pointing out that safeguarding the county’s agricultural identity had to be harmonized with sustainability goals.

“Good public policy often requires balancing legitimate interests rather than allowing any single interest to dominate,” Boldman said. “The amendment provides clear standards, meaningful safeguards and a responsible path for Lexington to participate in the transition to cleaner energy.”

Economic impact and local labor

Beyond environmental and land-use standards, the ordinance was crafted with provisions intended to support local workforce development. Construction trade leaders expressed optimism that the ground rules will create high-quality jobs for Central Kentucky workers as developers navigate the new regulations.

“Solar facilities must be built, and that construction requires people with real skills,” said Jeremy Jenkins, business manager and secretary-treasurer of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) Local 189. “When solar construction moves forward, Kentucky should benefit from the work. Our workers are ready to build these projects safely and responsibly while respecting the standards established for Fayette County.”

What happens next?

While findings submitted into the Council’s public record indicate that roughly three in four Fayette County residents favor expanding solar energy access, officials stressed that the text amendment does not greenlight any single commercial solar installation.

Instead, the amendment establishes comprehensive baseline criteria—including soil and water conservation planning, development footprint setbacks, screening standards, and mandatory end-of-life decommissioning plans.

Any energy developer seeking to build in Fayette County will still be required to submit individual project proposals through the city’s standard planning and zoning channels, where each site will face independent review and public hearings before groundbreaking can occur.