LINCOLN CO KENTUCKY RESIDENTS SIGN IF YOU STAND WITH FARMERS!

Protect Our Farms. Protect Preachersville. Protect Our Future.

To the Lincoln County Fiscal Court, Lincoln County Planning and Zoning officials, Lincoln County Board of Adjustments, Kentucky State Siting Board, and all other officials responsible for decisions concerning the proposed industrial-scale solar development in the Preachersville area of Lincoln County, Kentucky:

We, the undersigned residents, landowners, farmers, taxpayers, business owners, and supporters of Lincoln County, respectfully state our opposition to the proposed large-scale solar development in and around Preachersville, Kentucky, particularly where it would convert productive agricultural land and prime farmland from traditional agricultural use.

Lincoln County’s farmland is more than open acreage. It produces food, supports farm families and agricultural businesses, contributes to our local economy, preserves the rural character of our communities, and represents generations of Kentucky agricultural heritage.

We are also deeply concerned about the potential economic impact on neighboring property owners who have not agreed to participate in the proposed solar development. Published research has found that, in some rural areas, particularly where utility-scale solar facilities are constructed on agricultural or other undeveloped land, nearby residential property values may decline.

Neighboring families should not be forced to bear potential losses in property value, marketability, rural views, enjoyment of their property, or the character of their community as a consequence of an industrial development from which they receive no lease payments or other financial benefit.

Once large areas of productive farmland are converted to industrial-scale development, the character and agricultural use of that land, as well as the surrounding community, can be significantly altered.

We believe decisions involving development of this magnitude should fully consider:

The preservation of prime and productive agricultural farmland;
The potential effect on property values and the marketability of adjoining and nearby properties;
The financial impact on landowners who receive no compensation from the project;
The effect on active farms and future generations of farmers;
The rural and historic character of Preachersville and Lincoln County;
Potential effects on neighboring landowners and agricultural operations;
Drainage, waterways, soil disturbance, erosion, wildlife, and the surrounding environment;
Historic, archaeological, and cultural resources that may exist within the proposed project area;
Road access, construction traffic, emergency access, and infrastructure;
The rights and concerns of adjoining property owners;
Decommissioning, long-term responsibility, and restoration of agricultural land; and
Meaningful public notice, transparency, and an opportunity for Lincoln County citizens to be heard before additional approvals are granted.
WE THEREFORE PETITION OUR LOCAL AND STATE OFFICIALS TO:

Protect productive and prime farmland in the Preachersville area from conversion to industrial-scale solar development.

We further ask that officials carefully review the proposed project’s potential effects on surrounding property values, agricultural operations, neighboring landowners, historic resources, and the long-term character of Preachersville before granting additional approvals.

We are not signing away someone else’s property rights.

We are asking our government to consider the rights of the people who live beside these projects as well — families who have invested in their homes, farms, land, and community and who deserve to have those investments protected and their voices heard.

SAVE OUR FARMS.

PROTECT PREACHERSVILLE.

PROTECT OUR PROPERTY.

KEEP PRIME FARMLAND IN AGRICULTURE.