Silicon Ranch representatives Morey Hill and Bryan Runion attended April’s Planning and Zoning (P&Z) meeting to update the commission on steps taken to rectify past issues.

The most serious issue is that of road damage. There are areas that are badly degraded, and in need of immediate repair. Hill and Runion, with LPL representatives, rode the area with road Superintendent Shannon Cauble and identified the spots most in need repair. LPL Solar has contacted four paving companies to bid the job. The repairs will be made shortly after the bid is awarded.

Following the recent TDEC inspection, runoff catchment basins 1, 2, and 16 were flagged as needing repairs. They are being repaired currently, as workers had to wait for drier weather to make those repairs.

Another issue pointed out by Shannon Cauble was the number of ingress/ egress points on the property. Though only eleven were approved in the original plan, she had counted 29 being used. Runion reported that the unauthorized points are being permanently closed with chain link fencing, and that only authorized points will continue to be used.

Chair Dexter Golden asked Runion if he would check on the Five Points Road area regarding the required 60’ buffer, in addition to county setbacks. Golden thought the fencing might be closer to the road than the required distance. Runion assured him that it would be checked.

Golden also told Hill and Runion that LPL Solar had not appeared at either P&Z meetings or Metro Council meetings for updates after being asked to return. Runion replied that he would so advise them. Hill asked whether Golden would prefer they come to a P&Z meeting or a Metro Council meeting, and Golden answered that he would prefer them to come to P&Z meetings.