By Leann Schenke

DOVER — As Cedar Creek Solar moves through the process of seeking approval for its proposed 230,000-panel solar complex, the public will again have the opportunity to speak for or against the project.

After receiving conditional approval from the Regional Planning Commission during a Dec. 9 meeting, the plan now moves on to the Kent County Levy Court commission.

A public hearing on the site plan is set for 7:30 p.m. Tuesday. A vote will be taken on the plan during a later meeting.

The public is invited to participate during the hearing in person at the Kent County Administrative Complex, 555 Bay Road, or virtually. More information on how to attend virtually is available at co.kent.de.us.

This is the second time this year that Cedar Creek Solar has applied to build a solar complex on three contiguous properties located east of Smyrna. If the plan receives approval, the 230,000 panels will cover 260.46 acres of a nearly 530-acre area.

FPS Cedar Creek Solar LLC, which is owned by Piney Cedar Trust of Dagsboro and Richard Peoples with James C. Jr. and Cheryl A. Knotts, is an affiliate of the larger Texas-based solar company, Freepoint Solar.

The company’s initial plan received conditional approval from the Regional Planning Commission, but was denied by the Levy Court commissioners.

The company is in the process of appealing Levy Court’s decision to deny the application.

Attorney Wendie C. Stabler, of Saul, Ewing, Arnstein and Lehr, said Cedar Creek Solar would prefer to see the second, modified application receive approval this time around.

The company modified its first application by adding a larger buffer of trees around the complex in an effort to minimize visibility of the panels to neighbors. If approved, there will be more than 4,000 trees planted across the property.

The new plan adds distance between the panels and any residence — at least 150 feet, which is greater than in the previous application.

The plan also sees panels installed more than 25 feet away from wetlands on the property. The planning commission did approve the applicant’s request that panels can be installed up to the edge of drainage ditches already in some of the fields. Those ditches are considered wetlands.

If approved, Cedar Creek Solar also will be responsible for ensuring the property is returned to its current state after the solar panels have reached the end of their usual lifespan — about 25 to 30 years.