Letter to the editor: Unity solar farm not in best interests of residents, township

On June 25, the Unity Township Zoning Board held a hearing to consider a special exception application for the installation of a 34-acre solar farm along Charles Houck Road. This issue was unbeknownst to a majority of area residents who, once informed, filled the meeting room to overflowing for the opportunity to express their objections to its placement in an agriculturally zoned area. The meeting was continued for the gathering of further information. Since that time, several articles have been published about these proposed projects in our area, surrounding communities and beyond.

The hearing is rescheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Greater Latrobe Senior High School auditorium. While we support options for alternative energy, we ask the board to deny this application and revise township ordinances to explicitly protect agriculturally zoned acreage. Residents’ choices to live in these areas should be respected and protected. The board needs to consider the best interests of all residents and the township — not those that are simply self-serving.

Please join us for the meeting to become more informed about an issue that will become more prominent and/or to share information.

Cheri Yandrick

Unity