Solar, residential land use debated in Plano plan draft

The topic of solar power generation was a key focus as the Plano City Council had a first review of the comprehensive plan update.

The plan suggests designating approximately 550 to 600 acres of land on the west side of the city’s planning boundary for solar energy development.

Will Stattman, whose company owns land on the north side of the city and is looking to sell some of it to Savion Energy for a major solar project, said he would like to see less land allocated for residential use—arguing that there’s little interest in building homes—and more land designated for solar.

“We’ve owned land at this point for over fifteen years in Plano and during that time we had never been contacted by a single residential developer,” Stattman said. “We believe the highest and best use for the land for a number of years is going to be both utility scale and community solar.”

Nicole Diaz, a local resident and business owner, said solar energy is not a good fit for Plano, which she believes is more rooted in agriculture.

“We don’t want solar. The people here in Little Rock Township and the city of Plano do not want solar,” Diaz said. “I mean we applaud that it’s five hundred acres now, smaller and it’s off the beaten path, but we don’t want it.”

City Attorney Bill Thomas noted that the comprehensive plan is a guiding document and not legally binding. He added that solar projects can still be located on agricultural land, but would likely face additional regulatory steps.

The City Council discussed the comprehensive plan during its Committee of the Whole meeting on Monday. Aldermen opted to hold onto the draft for further review and discussion.

You can see the full proposed comp. plan by clicking below: