UPDATE (7:45 p.m.): In a 57-percent to 43-percent vote, Stockton residents voted yes to the Zoning Commission taking over all future growth decisions.
PREVIOUS REPORTING
STOCKTON, Ala. (WKRG) — 4,500 acres of mostly timberland and wetlands, bordered by Interstate 65 and Highway 59 in northwest Baldwin County, are the future site of Silicon Ranch’s latest solar farm to supply electricity to a data center in Montgomery.
“I think our community was sold out by the public service commission,” said Stockton resident Diane Sellers. “We were not given any notification, and now we are doing what we can do to save our community.”
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A grassroots effort began almost immediately after community members learned of the proposed solar farm, forming “Stop Solar in Stockton,” which eventually led to a vote on whether to allow zoning to shape future growth.
“Probably one of the most important votes I’ve ever cast here in Stockton,” said Georgene Conner…