County Board rezones parcel for solar farm; addresses animal shelter concerns
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By DAVID CAMPHOUSE
At its regular July meeting, the Pike County Board approved rezoning a parcel of land in Kinderhook Township, so it will be able to accommodate a proposed solar farm.
Prior to the meeting, the parcel was zoned as “F-1” Flood Plain District. The board voted to change the zoning designation to “A” Agricultural District, which allows for the development of solar installations.
“We have approved that as a use for ground zoned as agricultural,” County Board President Andy Borrowman said.
According to a representative from the developer, who was present at the July board meeting, the site is ideal for the development of a solar farm. The Kinderhook Township site is desirable, because it is adjacent to a power substation and accessible from a state highway.
The representative stated that once completed, the solar farm would be between 20 and 30 acres. The power generated by the solar farm would be available to be purchased by Ameren customers.
The board also discussed concerns that had been raised about the Pike County Animal Shelter, both at the July Agriculture Committee meeting and on social media.
Multiple community members had attended the July Agriculture Committee meeting to raise concerns about the animal shelter – including unclean conditions, overcrowding, and exorbitant adoption fees.
“Basically what was going on was people trying to get the animal warden and assistant warden in trouble,” Borrowman said.
Borrowman did indicate that he was troubled by some of the photos of and statements about the animal shelter on social media. As a result, Borrowman said, animal shelter staff are working under the guidance of the Agriculture Committee.
“I don’t think that all the things that have been posted about are good or right,” Borrowman said “The Ag Committee continues to work with the warden and the assistant warden, so that they can do better.”
Borrowman went on to say that he believes that conditions at the animal shelter under its current leadership have improved compared to the conditions under the most recent previous animal warden.
“We are by far better than we were a couple of years ago,” Borrowman said. “The majority of these problems have been remedied.”
The board went on to approve a $10,000 grant award from the Accommodations Tax Funding Program to the City of Griggsville Beautification Committee to update the mural in downtown Griggsville.
The new mural, according to the proposal submitted by the Griggsville Beautification Committee, will be designed to provide a unique attraction for those attending festivals in downtown Griggsville and will become a destination stop for selfies and group pictures.
The mural will be created by CSL Studio, which is the same company that has previously created murals in Pittsfield and Barry.
The Accommodations Tax Funding grant program is designed to provide project funds for ventures that promote Pike County tourism.
All funding for the grant is derived from a four percent accommodations tax that is paid by guests when they stay at participating Pike County lodging establishments. The funds generated by the accommodations tax may only be used for initiatives related to increasing tourism in Pike County.
Grant applications for the program are reviewed on a quarterly basis by a Funding Advisory Committee composed of representatives from lodging establishments, county board representatives, and the Pike County Chamber and Economic Economic Development Executive Director.
In other business, the board:
• Appointed Troy ham, Bryan Martin and Randy Whitaker to the North Pike Fire Protection District as Trustees, with terms to expire in June 2027.
• Appointed Sherry White, NP to the Pike County Board of Health for a term to expire June 2025.
• Re-opened bids for revised plans and bid documents for the Pike County Health Department parking lot.
The next Pike County Board meeting will be held in the upper courtroom of the Pike County Courthouse on Monday, August 26 at 7 p.m.
