Nearly a year ago, the Urban County Council opted not to permit any large-scale ground-mounted solar arrays on farmland.
Now, in a close vote, the council has taken its first step toward adopting new regulations that would allow rural solar operations on property larger than four acres in the city's signature rural perimeter.
Councilman David Sevigny said the move aligns with the city's goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in the next 25 years.
"If we're serious about confronting the climate crisis and if we're serious about addressing the net-zero goal that the council made unanimously several years ago, I think we need to think a little bit bigger," he said.
Opponents of expanding solar in agricultural areas have argued the soil in farmland surrounding the city is simply too valuable to cover up with solar arrays.
Under the regulations, all rural solar projects combined could not exceed one percent of Fayette County's land size.
The regulatory shift cleared its first vote 8-7 and still requires final approval.