MIFFLINTOWN — A Juniata County resident on Tuesday urged county commissioners to halt new industrial-scale solar projects and consider a temporary moratorium on data center development until planning documents are updated and reviewed by the public.

Speaking during public comment at the commissioners’ meeting, Kylie Naylor said the county’s comprehensive plan should play a larger role in guiding decisions involving large-scale development projects.

Naylor referenced the county’s comprehensive plan, which asks residents to consider what kind of community they want Juniata County to become over the next 10 to 20 years.

“That question deserves some serious consideration as we face increasing pressure from industrial-scale development, including utility-scale solar facilities and proposed data centers,” Naylor said.

Naylor noted the comprehensive plan identifies productive farmland, environmentally sensitive areas, public health, public safety and the rural character of local communities as resources worthy of protection. She questioned whether those priorities were adequately considered during reviews of major development projects.

Naylor specifically cited the Walker Solar project in Fermanagh Township, noting that approval documents stated the project was consistent with the county’s community development plan.

“Having reviewed the 303-page plan myself, I don’t understand how that conclusion was reached,” she said.

Naylor told commissioners she has requested records supporting the consistency determination but has not yet received an explanation. She asked county officials to identify the analysis used to support the finding.

“If the comprehensive plan is intended to guide decision-making, then the public deserves to know how a project disrupting over 400 acres of productive farmland and environmentally sensitive areas was determined to be consistent with the very document that calls for protection of those resources,” Naylor said.

She also raised concerns about industrial solar development, emergency response capabilities, public health and public safety, issues she said residents have been discussing for years.

Naylor noted that a special exception granted for the Walker Solar project was contingent upon addressing health and safety concerns through a host agreement. After reviewing that agreement, she said she was unable to determine where those concerns had been addressed.

As a result, Naylor asked the county to support an immediate pause on new industrial-scale solar projects until the county’s comprehensive plan and hazard mitigation plan can be updated and publicly reviewed.

She also called for a comprehensive review of industrial-scale solar projects approved since 2020 to determine whether approvals, amendments, extensions and project modifications remain consistent with adopted planning objectives and current conditions.

Additionally, Naylor asked commissioners to consider a temporary moratorium on data center development while the county evaluates potential impacts on land use, infrastructure, emergency services, water resources, energy demand and community character.

“Most importantly, I ask that the county return to being a steward of our future rather than a spectator to it,” Naylor said. “Planning only works if these plans are reviewed, updated and actively used.”

Naylor, who said she has more than a decade of experience in real estate, told commissioners she has spent years reviewing county documents, zoning ordinances, approval records and planning materials.

“The more that I read, the more concerned I became about whether our planning framework is being consistently applied,” she said.

She also asked how residents can become more involved in the planning process and inquired about potential current or future vacancies on the Juniata County Planning Commission.

No response was given by commissioners during the meeting.

In other business

Commissioners approved appointments to the Juniata County Appeals Board.

For the Primary Appeals Board, Matt Walters was appointed chairperson, Chuck Bryner vice chairperson and Holly Garver secretary.

For the Auxiliary Appeals Board, Andrew Winder was appointed chairperson, Todd Graybill vice chairperson and Mark Partner secretary.

Commissioners also:

• Accepted the resignation of Karen Stouffer from the assessment office, effective Nov. 3;

• Ratified payment of a Juniata County Hazardous Materials check for fuel in the amount of $23.38;

• Ratified a Community Development Block Grant Infrastructure Development and Improvement System payment of $8,010 to LEZ Electric Inc. for the McAlisterville water storage project;

• Approved May departmental reports for Magisterial District Judge Powell’s office, the Adult and Juvenile Probation Department, and the Juniata County Children and Youth Department;

• Approved tax exonerations for Walker and Fayette townships;

• Approved payment of county checks totaling $348,101.82;

• Approved the hiring of Brian Hook as assistant director of maintenance effective June 22, pending background clearances. Hook will replace Shawn Kepner, who resigned April 3. The position carries an annual salary of $36,800;

• Approved the hiring of Daniel Wise as a full-time security guard effective June 17. The position includes benefits and retirement and pays $23.08 per hour.