The Sept. 9 hearing on a controversial application to build a 1,200-acre solar panel farm in North Annville Township has been postponed for the second time.

It has been tentatively moved to Thursday, Oct 7, at 6:30 p.m. at the Union Water Works Fire Company, according to the township’s attorney.

The township’s supervisors have been asked to give “conditional use” zoning approval to the project, which is backed by Enel Green Power, the Massachusetts-based arm of Italian multi-national energy company Enel S.p.A.

A Sept. 8 letter from township attorney Paul Bametzreider announced that the latest delay was “at the request of certain landowners in North Annville Township who are represented by private counsel,” who Bametzreider said is unable to attend due to a “health emergency.”

The hearing had originally been scheduled for June 24, but was postponed to Sept. 9 at the request of Enel’s attorney.

The project has generated opposition and support from township residents, and resulted in several heavily attended and lively meetings before the township’s supervisors and planning commission.

Read more about the proposed North Annville solar farm:

North Annville residents sound off on proposed solar farm project

North Annville Township set for solar farm hearing on June 24

[Letter] Farmer supporting North Annville solar project

[Letter] Response to farmer supporting North Annville solar project

N. Annville Twp. Planning Commission considers changes to solar ordinance

[Letter] Is Enel telling the truth about taxes?

[Letter] Solar farms are family farms in North Annville Township

[Letter] Lebanon Solar protects my future and the future of farming

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Chris Coyle writes primarily on government, the courts, and business. He retired as an attorney at the end of 2018, after concentrating for nearly four decades on civil and criminal litigation and trials. A career highlight was successfully defending a retired Pennsylvania state trooper who was accused,...