Code computed the rating from the assessor's inputs:
extent=core, avoidable=partly -> 3
Set by the rule
Decision
Released
Evidence state
Reported · desktop, consultant or developer record
Worst case
If what is pending at the cut-off went badly, the same rule gives a higher rating.
Scenario
Commissioners adopt a resolution prohibiting the facility or limiting its boundaries, or designate Harrison Township a restricted area, blocking the project.
Step still pending
Carroll County commissioners' decision within 90 days of the county public meeting (ORC 303.62)
Organized opposition, a county public meeting record and nearby residences are documented (C-24271b647d, C-7bfc4abd3e, C-de59fd4446). OPSB and SB 52 engagement requirements apply (OH-OPSB-PUBLIC, OH-SB52).
Opposition is organized: a resident petition seeks a county prohibition and restricted-area designation, and a neighbors' group says it will intervene and pursue a referendum (C-24271b647d, C-e3e7beda35). Commissioners have a pending decision within 90 days (C-27017a88b6, C-33a9601349). Written comments ran 51 opposed to 13 in support (C-7bfc4abd3e).
Commissioners took no action at the meeting and no prohibition is documented as adopted (C-27017a88b6). Mitigation is under way: good neighbor agreements with screening, three signed (C-f20a02cd94, C-f615487362), and a noise commitment (C-20dcb5e601). Noise exceeds the design goal at two non-participating homes (C-597c5c8469), and the Parcel 11 trustee has declined options (C-61e6db1965). Outcome depends on the commissioners' decision.
No binding prohibition or referendum is in place yet (C-27017a88b6). A neighbors' group says it will intervene in the OPSB case (C-e3e7beda35), pointing to a contested proceeding. Ad hoc township and county board members will sit on the case (C-90015c0aee).
Opposition and a contested proceeding are documented (C-e3e7beda35, C-ede3d1d588). OPSB staff note that solar cases with active local opposition have recently taken 9 to 14 months from filing to decision (C-b61135956d). Concerns on fire, noise, roads, drainage and views will shape layout and conditions (C-6bdcc9fa85, C-ec66acfa65, C-87c8ed2e8e).
Organized opposition: of 27 speakers, 21 opposed and 6 supported; written comments 51 opposed, 13 in support. Petition seeks county prohibition and restricted-area designation; commissioners to decide within 90 days. A neighbors' group plans to intervene at OPSB. 23 residences within 1,000 feet.
Critique
Verdict
upheld
Suggested direction for the rating
same
Summary
Assessment is largely supported and category 3 is reasonable. Minor wording issues: mitigation overstated (recommendations treated as commitments), the Parcel 11 reference is unsupported, the referendum condition is dropped, and the next steps omit the road use agreement.
Critic model
Luminol
Issues
Severity minor · Kind unsupported_statement
Rationale says OPSB solar cases with opposition took 9 to 14 months, implying delay, but impact_likely cites generic staff statement; fine. However the 'Parcel 11 trustee' is cited as declining options, but C-61e6db1965 quote does not mention Parcel 11 or the trustee's parcel; the parcel number is unsupported by the quote.
Noise 'exceeds the design goal at two non-participating homes' is supported, but the 'noise commitment' (C-20dcb5e601) is only a recommendation to model and mitigate, not a commitment; 'good neighbor agreements ... three signed' quote 'Three have signed' does not say what was signed, and C-f615487362 is a recommendation to offer. Mitigation 'under way' is overstated.
Referendum framing: the neighbors' group would pursue a referendum only if the county acted on restricted areas and the decision were challenged; the rationale presents it as plain intent. Also pathway 'individual' sits oddly beside a pending prohibition/restricted-area petition, but is defensible since nothing is adopted.
Next steps omit road use agreement and video survey with Harrison Township Trustees (L-01), which the agencies list implies, and the SB 52 timing/PJM Section 4 exemption check. Also cost/impact fine. Worst case is grounded in a real pending step (ORC 303.62 decision), no issue.
Northfold committed to model and mitigate battery yard noise at Linnet Road homes and share the noise study.
Quote check Exact · Placed verbatim · The quote occurs on the page exactly as written. · Read as docx
Northfold Energy Partners, LLC - Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project
County Public Meeting Summary
Tamsin Ridge Solar and Storage Project. Public meeting held under ORC 303.61 on May 11, 2023, 6:30 p.m., at Harrison Township Hall, Carroll County, Ohio. Summary prepared by Northfold Energy Partners, LLC on May 12, 2023.
Attendance and format
About 140 people attended, including two of the three Carroll County commissioners, the three Harrison Township trustees and the county engineer. Notice was published in the county newspaper and mailed to the owners of land within the Project Area and adjoining it. Northfold presented the layout, the studies under way and the OPSB process for 40 minutes; 27 people then spoke, and written comments were collected.
What residents said
Of the 27 speakers, 21 opposed the Project and 6 supported it. Supporters were participating landowners and two trades representatives, who spoke about lease payments that keep farms in the family, local construction jobs and tax revenue for the schools.
Those opposed raised these concerns, in order of how often they were raised:
Fire risk from the battery storage yard and the response capacity of the volunteer fire department.
Noise from the battery yard and the substation at night, from neighbors on Linnet Road.
Loss of farmland and the precedent of a large solar facility in an agricultural township.
Flooding along Sallow Creek and runoff from the arrays onto neighboring fields.
Property values and views, with requests for 500-foot setbacks from homes and taller screening.
The abandoned mine and the sinkholes on the Pettibone land, and whether piles could start more.
Damage to township roads and the posted Linnet Road bridge during construction.
A petition signed by 212 residents was handed to the commissioners. It asks the Board of County Commissioners to adopt a resolution under ORC 303.62 prohibiting the facility and to designate Harrison Township a restricted area for large solar facilities under ORC 303.58. A group of neighbors, Harrison Township Neighbors for Farmland, said it would intervene in the OPSB case and would pursue a referendum if the county acted on restricted areas and the decision were challenged.
Officials
The commissioners took no action at the meeting. One commissioner said the Board would decide within the 90 days the statute allows after this meeting, and would hear from the township trustees first. The trustees said they would send the Board a written recommendation after their June meeting. The county engineer asked for a road use and maintenance agreement and a bond before any hauling.
Northfold commitments and next steps
Quote starts. Model and mitigate battery yard noise at the Linnet Road homes; share the noise study. Quote ends.
Meet the volunteer fire department and the county emergency management agency on the emergency response plan; fund training and equipment.
Offer good neighbor agreements, with screening, to the 14 nearest non-participating homes.
Keep the undermined area out of the layout unless the mine investigation shows it is safe.
Negotiate a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement, which needs a county resolution.
Hold the OPSB public informational meeting after the county's 90-day period.
Written comments received at the meeting: 64 (51 opposed, 13 in support). Copies are kept in the project file and will be summarized in the OPSB application.
This document has no page picture (only PDF and image documents have one).
C-20dcb5e601
Northfold committed to model and mitigate battery yard noise at Linnet Road homes and share the noise study.
Quoted from page 1
Model and mitigate battery yard noise at the Linnet Road homes; share the noise study.
A petition signed by 212 residents asks commissioners to adopt a resolution prohibiting the facility and designate Harrison Township a restricted area for large solar.
Quoted from page 1
It asks the Board of County Commissioners to adopt a resolution under ORC 303.62 prohibiting the facility and to designate Harrison Township a restricted area for large solar facilities under ORC 303.58.
Within 90 days after the county public meeting, the Board of County Commissioners may adopt a resolution prohibiting the facility or limiting its boundaries (ORC 303.62).
Quoted from page 1
the Board of County Commissioners may adopt a resolution
prohibiting the facility or limiting its boundaries (ORC 303.62)
Harrison Township Neighbors for Farmland said it would intervene in the OPSB case and pursue a referendum if the county acted on restricted areas and the decision were challenged.
Quoted from page 1
A group of neighbors, Harrison Township Neighbors for Farmland, said it would intervene in the OPSB case and would pursue a referendum if the county acted on restricted areas and the decision were challenged.
The requirements the assessor tied to this row, by level. Each quote from dated law is shown with its source.
State
SB 52 county controls on large solar facilities: restricted areas, the county public meeting and resolution, the two voting ad hoc board members, and the PJM exemption in Section 4
OH-SB52 · Board of county commissioners and boards of township trustees (county controls); Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB)
Applicability
Required
Instrument
Senate Bill 52, 134th General Assembly (effective 2021-10-11), including its uncodified Section 4; ORC 303.57 to 303.62, 4906.02, 4906.021 to 4906.025, 4906.101 to 4906.103, 4906.30 and 4906.31
Trigger
An application for a certificate for a large solar facility that is not exempt under Section 4 of SB 52.
Description
A board of county commissioners may designate all or part of the unincorporated county as a restricted area where large solar facilities are prohibited. The resolution takes effect 30 days after adoption unless a referendum petition is filed, and no one may file an application for a prohibited facility there. Otherwise the developer must hold a public meeting in each county 90 to 300 days before applying; within 90 days the commissioners may prohibit the facility or limit its boundaries. The board includes two voting ad hoc members for the township trustees and county commissioners. Section 4 exempts a large solar facility in the PJM new services queue if, as of the act's effective date, its application had been found to comply with the application requirements and accepted by the board, and the applicant had a completed PJM system impact study and had paid the facilities study fee. Whether the county has designated a restricted area, and whether the exemption is met, are facts to confirm with the county and PJM records.
Typical timeline
Law: the county meeting is held 90 to 300 days before the application, and the commissioners may act within 90 days of it, so a filing cannot sensibly come sooner than about 90 days after the meeting (a reading of the two periods). A restricted-area resolution takes effect 30 days after adoption unless a referendum petition is filed.
Version of the law on the cut-off
SB 52 as enacted (statute text only)
As of the cut-off
As of the cut-off: SB 52 took effect. This is the 'effective date' that Section 4 uses for the PJM test (completed system impact study and paid facilities study fee) and that Section 5 uses for ad hoc members on applications not yet accepted. (2021-10-11)
The board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution designating all or part of the unincorporated area of a county as a restricted area, prohibiting the construction of any or all of the following: (1) An economically significant wind farm; (2) A large wind farm; (3) A large solar facility.
Source ORC 303.57 to 303.62 county restricted areas · page 3 · version 2023-08-01
In force from 2021-10-11 to 2025-04-08, section 303.58
303.58: version effective 2021-10-11; first change after it 2025-04-09 (H.B. 497, 135th GA), from codes.ohio.gov version history in archive captures (confirmed_two_sources)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 6
The act prohibits a person from filing an application for a certificate, or a material amendment to an existing certificate, to construct, operate, or maintain a utility facility in a restricted area, if such a facility is prohibited in that restricted area.
Source SB 52 LSC Final Analysis · page 6 · version 2021-10-11
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 7
The act conditions the designation of a restricted area upon the right of referendum the act grants county voters. A resolution designating a restricted area becomes effective 30 days from the day it is adopted, unless a referendum petition is filed with the board of county commissioners.
Source SB 52 LSC Final Analysis · page 7 · version 2021-10-11
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 9
At least ninety days, but not more than three hundred days, prior to applying for a certificate from the power siting board, or a material amendment to an existing certificate, for a utility facility, to be located in whole or in part in the unincorporated area of a county, the person intending to apply shall hold a public meeting in each county where the utility facility is to be located.
Source ORC 303.57 to 303.62 county restricted areas · page 9 · version 2023-08-01
In force from 2021-10-11 to 2026-10-03, section 303.61
303.61: version effective 2021-10-11, still the current version when the page map was checked (2026-10-03)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 11
Not later than ninety days after the public meeting described in section 303.61 of the Revised Code regarding an application for a certificate, or a material amendment to an existing certificate, for a utility facility, the board of county commissioners may adopt a resolution that does either of the following:
Source ORC 303.57 to 303.62 county restricted areas · page 11 · version 2023-08-01
In force from 2021-10-11 to 2026-10-03, section 303.62
303.62: version effective 2021-10-11, still the current version when the page map was checked (2026-10-03)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 11
(1) Prohibits the construction of the utility facility that is the subject of the certificate; (2) Limits the boundaries of the proposed utility facility to a smaller geographic area of the county, completely within what was proposed by the applicant. (B) If no resolution is adopted within the time required under this section, the application may proceed as filed with the power siting board.
Source ORC 303.57 to 303.62 county restricted areas · page 11 · version 2023-08-01
In force from 2021-10-11 to 2026-10-03, section 303.62
303.62: version effective 2021-10-11, still the current version when the page map was checked (2026-10-03)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 24
Whenever an application is made to the power siting board for a certificate or a material amendment to an existing certificate for a utility facility, the board shall include two voting ad hoc members to represent the interests of the residents of the area in which the utility facility is to be located.
Source ORC 4906 Power Siting Board · page 24 · version 2023-08-01
In force from 2021-10-11 to 2026-10-03, section 4906.021
4906.021: version effective 2021-10-11, still the current version when the page map was checked (2026-10-03)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 24
(C)(1) The ad hoc members shall be: (a) The chairperson of the board of township trustees of the township in which the utility facility is to be located or the chairperson's designee; (b) The president of the board of county commissioners of the county in which the utility facility is to be located or the president's designee
Source ORC 4906 Power Siting Board · page 24 · version 2023-08-01
In force from 2021-10-11 to 2026-10-03, section 4906.021
4906.021: version effective 2021-10-11, still the current version when the page map was checked (2026-10-03)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 4
States that applications for a certificate or material amendment to an existing certificate for a large solar facility are not subject to the act's provisions if, as of October 11, 2021: The facility is in the PJM Interconnection and Regional Transmission Organization, L.L.C. (PJM), New Services Queue;
Source SB 52 LSC Final Analysis · page 4 · version 2021-10-11
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 13
if, as of the effective date of this section: (1) The applicant has received a completed system impact study from PJM for the large solar facility; and (2) The applicant has paid the fee for the facilities study to PJM.
Source SB 52 134th GA as enrolled · page 13 · version 2021-10-11
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 4
The application has been found to be in compliance with the application requirements by the PSB Chairperson (or the Chairperson’s designee) and has been accepted by PSB;
Source SB 52 LSC Final Analysis · page 4 · version 2021-10-11
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Pre-application conference, pre-application notification letter, public informational meeting and public notices for a standard certificate application
OH-OPSB-PUBLIC · Ohio Power Siting Board (OPSB), board staff and the applicant
Applicability
Required
Instrument
OAC 4906-3-02, 4906-3-03 and 4906-3-09; ORC 4906.06(C)
Trigger
Any standard certificate application to the OPSB for a major utility facility, which must be preceded by a public informational meeting.
Description
Before filing, the applicant may request a pre-application conference with board staff. It must file a pre-application notification letter with the board at least 15 days before the public informational meeting, and hold at least one such meeting in the project area no more than 90 days before submitting the application. The meeting is advertised in a newspaper 7 to 21 days ahead and by letter to each property owner and affected tenant at least 21 days ahead; the applicant presents maps, solicits written comments and summarizes them in the application. After the application is accepted, a first written notice goes out within 15 days and a second notice is published 7 to 21 days before the public hearing. SB 52 adds a separate county public meeting 90 to 300 days before applying (see OH-SB52).
Typical timeline
Law: notification letter at least 15 days before the meeting; newspaper notice 7 to 21 days and owner and tenant letters at least 21 days before it; meeting no more than 90 days before filing; first notice within 15 days of the accepted application; second notice 7 to 21 days before the public hearing. The SB 52 county meeting must fall 90 to 300 days before filing, so the two windows differ and two meetings are the likely reading; the library does not address combining them. Practice estimate: allow roughly 2 to 4 months for the conference, notices and meeting before filing.
Version of the law on the cut-off
OPSB standard-process page as archived 2023-05-15; county meeting cited from ORC 303.61
As of the cut-off
As of the cut-off: The OPSB's adopted rule revisions require two public informational meetings for each standard certificate application: the first describes the scope of the project and the second, held at least 90 days before filing, covers the application specifics. They took effect 2024-05-30 for applications filed on or after that date. Not in force on 2023-08-01: OAC 4906-3-03 as cited here requires one meeting. (2023-07-20)
An applicant considering construction of a major utility facility or economically significant wind farm may request a preapplication conference with the board staff prior to submitting an application.
In force from 2015-12-11 to 2024-05-29, section 4906-3-02
4906-3-02: version effective 2015-12-11; first change after it 2024-05-30 (OPSB five-year review, Case 21-902-GE-BRO (Ohio Adm. Code Chapters 4906-1 to 4906-7); OPSB determination 2023-07-20), from codes.ohio.gov version history in archive captures (confirmed_two_sources)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 3
The applicant shall file a preapplication notification letter with the board at least fifteen days prior to the date of any public informational meeting(s) held pursuant to paragraph (B) of this rule.
In force from 2015-12-11 to 2024-05-29, section 4906-3-03
4906-3-03: version effective 2015-12-11; first change after it 2024-05-30 (OPSB Case 21-902-GE-BRO (determination 2023-07-20)), from codes.ohio.gov version history in archive captures (confirmed_two_sources)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 3
No more than ninety days prior to submitting a standard certificate application to the board, the applicant shall conduct at least one informational meeting open to the public to be held in the area in which the project is located.
In force from 2015-12-11 to 2024-05-29, section 4906-3-03
4906-3-03: version effective 2015-12-11; first change after it 2024-05-30 (OPSB Case 21-902-GE-BRO (determination 2023-07-20)), from codes.ohio.gov version history in archive captures (confirmed_two_sources)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 1
Between 21 to 7 days prior to the date of the public information meeting, public notice must be published in a locally circulated newspaper and address project need, schedule, design, and other pertinent data. At least 21 days prior to the public information meeting the applicant must send a letter to each affected property owner and tenant.
Source OPSB standard application process · page 1 · version 2023-05-15
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 5
At the informational meeting, the applicant shall present maps showing the proposed facility at a scale that allows affected property owners to identify the location of their property in relation to the facility. The applicant shall solicit written comments from the attendees. The applicant shall summarize in its certificate application how many and what types of comments were received.
In force from 2015-12-11 to 2024-05-29, section 4906-3-03
4906-3-03: version effective 2015-12-11; first change after it 2024-05-30 (OPSB Case 21-902-GE-BRO (determination 2023-07-20)), from codes.ohio.gov version history in archive captures (confirmed_two_sources)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 13
each owner of a property crossed and/or adjacent to the preferred and alternative routes for transmission lines and/or a new generation site within fifteen days of the filing of the accepted, complete application and shall contain the following information:
In force from 2015-12-11 to 2024-05-29, section 4906-3-09
4906-3-09: version effective 2015-12-11; first change after it 2024-05-30 (OPSB Case 21-902-GE-BRO (determination 2023-07-20)), from codes.ohio.gov version history in archive captures (confirmed_two_sources)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 14
shall be published in newspapers of general circulation in those municipal corporations and counties in which the chief executive received service of a copy of the application pursuant to rule 4906-3-07 of the Administrative Code at least seven days but no more than twenty-one days before the public hearing.
In force from 2015-12-11 to 2024-05-29, section 4906-3-09
4906-3-09: version effective 2015-12-11; first change after it 2024-05-30 (OPSB Case 21-902-GE-BRO (determination 2023-07-20)), from codes.ohio.gov version history in archive captures (confirmed_two_sources)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Quoted from the law, page 9
At least ninety days, but not more than three hundred days, prior to applying for a certificate from the power siting board, or a material amendment to an existing certificate, for a utility facility, to be located in whole or in part in the unincorporated area of a county, the person intending to apply shall hold a public meeting in each county where the utility facility is to be located.
Source ORC 303.57 to 303.62 county restricted areas · page 9 · version 2023-08-01
In force from 2021-10-11 to 2026-10-03, section 303.61
303.61: version effective 2021-10-11, still the current version when the page map was checked (2026-10-03)
May be cited on the cut-off date.
Local
Road use agreement and pre-construction video survey for Fescue Road
L-01 · Harrison Township Trustees
Applicability
Required
Instrument
Township road use agreement
Trigger
Hauling on Fescue Road or other township roads.
Description
The trustees issue no permit but want a road use agreement and a video survey. They must be contacted before hauling. Fescue Road is a 16-foot chip-and-seal road with two 90-degree turns needing temporary widening for tractor-trailers.
Typical timeline
The pack gives no timeline.
As of the cut-off
As of 2023-07-06.
Verification
DATA_ROOM_EVIDENCED
Source
model:jurisdiction
Basis
C-c099b1879f(no record in the annex), C-a8a3394ea1, C-849c3eb33d(no record in the annex), C-8172eb7213
Comments
Organized opposition: of 27 speakers, 21 opposed and 6 supported; written comments 51 opposed, 13 in support. Petition seeks county prohibition and restricted-area designation; commissioners to decide within 90 days. A neighbors' group plans to intervene at OPSB. 23 residences within 1,000 feet.