Chestnuthill Township is taking the next steps to update its solar ordinance with a meeting Thursday night to set a public hearing date.

The township last week, in front of a packed room, voted against a draft overlay to regulate area where commercial solar farms are allowed.

The current ordinance, adopted in 2014, allows for solar on 11,000 acres. The overlay would have allowed 2,100 acres in the township.

Instead the supervisors are moving forward with a new ordinance, which proposes allowing grid scale commercial solar as a conditional use in light industrial commercial zones, and would reduce the area to 300 acres.

The ordinance also puts restrictions on solar farms. Proposed farms will be required to have a plan for decommissioning the farm and proof of financial security.

The meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday will also include setting a hearing date for the conditional use application from Effort Energy Initiative LLC to build a commercial solar power generation facility at 301 Merwinsburg Road.

The facility is proposed on 13 acres of property that borders Pheasant Run Road. It’s allowed as a conditional use in the current ordinance.

Effort Solar LLC, based in Oceanside City, California, has submitted plans to Polk officials to build a solar panel farm on 200 acres near the intersection of Bear Road and Long Mountain Road. Its parent company is Samsung of Korea. A hearing in Polk is scheduled on Sept. 27.

The company said it would include land in Chestnuthill, but plans have not been submitted to date.

Chestnuthill officials said in August that they spoke with someone at Penn Future, an organization that is focused on the state’s transition to clean energy.

Last week Chestnuthill Township supervisor Roger Kutzler made a motion to reject the overlay and move forward with a new more restrictive ordinance. Eric Snyder seconded the motion.

Chairman Chuck Gould opened the floor for residents from Chestnuthill to ask questions and talk to the board. Residents made it clear they did not want solar farms in their township.

The township, however, must allow for solar farms somewhere in the township. Township manager David Albright said zoning must allow for all uses.

When the board voted 3-0 last week to reject the overlay and move forward with the new ordinance, the audience applauded.

“We heard you and you made it clear on where you stand on solar farms in Chestnuthill Township,” Gould said.

Other information

• Albright announced that there are some items the transfer station does not handle.

There is a free fall drive through event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Pocono Raceway, in the parking lot area in front of the ticket office.

Monroe County residents will be able to dispose of up to four old vehicle tires at no charge.

They can also drop off outdated prescription drugs and gently used children’s books.

For more information on Chestnuthill recycling go to the Chestnuthill Township website:www.chestnuthilltwp-pa.gov.

• The American Legion installation of the sewage disposal is complete. There was some additional work that the contractor performed. A change order for $4,500 was approved to cover the costs of the additional work.

• The township recognized Eagle Scout Michael Tuin, whose Eagle Scout project was to redo the Veterans Memorial that is in the park at the community building, as well as redoing the picnic tables. He’s going to have a private Sikh ceremony on Sept. 17.

• The Sept. 19 meeting is canceled.