A proposal to build a solar farm adjacent to Statesville Boulevard near Cleveland is a little greener than originally planned.

As part of a compromise reached during Tuesday’s Rowan County commissioners meeting, Statesville Solar plans to significantly boost the amount and modify the type of greenery separating the approved solar farm from The Arbors Events located nearby.

For more than an hour and a half during Tuesday’s meeting, Statesville Solar, Arbors Events owner Brian Moerman and commissioners debated merits and disadvantages of putting a solar farm next to Statesville Boulevard. One of the chief concerns, raised by Moerman, was visibility of the solar farm during winter months. The end result of the visibility debate was a compromise that included evergreen trees, a boosted amount of greenery next to the solar farm and increased greenery adjacent to The Arbors Events.

“Although the project that Statesville Solar proposed is far from ideal for The Arbors, it would have only visually affected winter events based on their original proposal,” Moerman said in an email Thursday.

Statesville Solar agreed to a greener proposal during a short recess in Tuesday’s meeting. The solar company agreed to not only change the amount and type of trees on its side, but also to give Moerman an undisclosed amount of money to plant more trees next to his facility, according to Moerman’s email.

The deal made between Statesville Solar and The Arbors is something Moerman said would reduce, and perhaps eliminate, any view of the solar panels during the winter — when trees shed leaves and Moerman books a majority of his business.

“The concern that I had is that 60 percent of my business is booked during this time, (November to February), and potential clients will see a portion of the Solar Farm during their tour and might not understand that it will be blocked during wedding season,” he said. “I personally plan (on) doubling the amount of evergreen tree funding they put up to make sure The Arbors remains a beautiful wedding and event center for years to come,” Moerman said. “When this is completed, there will be very little impact in the future.”

Commissioners on Tuesday unanimously approved a conditional use permit for Statesville Solar. The property’s zoning is rural agricultural.

Other concerns raised during Tuesday’s commissioners meeting included a glare coming from the solar panels for drivers on Statesville Boulevard and noise, which Statesville Solar assured commissioners wouldn’t be noticeable.

Moerman’s email doesn’t include a formal contract between the Arbors and Statesville Solar, but, rather a letter from the solar company’s attorney saying a formal agreement would be drafted in the future.

The solar farm is located on 63 acres of land between Statesville Boulevard and Old U.S. Highway 70.

Site plans for the solar farm show two groups of solar panels on the northern side of Statesville Bouelvard, with the total area of both groups combined estimated at 25 acres. The solar panels are estimated to be 10 feet high.

Statesville Solar representatives estimated the Solar Facility would be a multi-million dollar investment and, in turn, represent $20,000 to $40,000 per year in tax revenue.

Contact reporter Josh Bergeron at 704-797-4246