Clay County, Mo. – A formative plan to convert a portion of a generational farm into a solar energy project led by Gateway Trail Solar sparked debate at the April 2025 Clay County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting, setting the stage for a revised proposal to be brought forward in July.
While the project wasn’t officially denied, developers are returning to the drawing board to address concerns raised by both officials and members of the public. The proposed site, located at 12222 N Highway just outside the city limits of Excelsior Springs, is a 207.2-acre parcel owned by Roy Sams, with approximately 111.3 acres designated for solar infrastructure under the preliminary plan.
Michael McHugh, project manager for Gateway Trail Solar, said the site was selected due to a mix of favorable conditions, including existing power infrastructure, land compatibility, and proximity to distribution lines. He emphasized the project’s low-impact design and long-term benefits, describing it as a practical way to generate clean energy while preserving the character of the land.
The project is expected to generate 20 megawatts of power, enough to supply electricity to roughly 2,300 homes. The solar panels would be installed on single-axis trackers, engineered to follow the sun throughout the day and last up to 35 years. Solis Renewables will manage day-to-day operations, with the landowner bearing no operational risk or maintenance responsibility.
McHugh explained that the project would create 55 new jobs in Clay County during construction and 155 statewide, resulting in over $6.3 million in local earnings and more than $15.4 million across Missouri. Long-term, the site is projected to support 1.6 local jobs and six statewide, with annual earnings exceeding $100,000 locally.
While the project will benefit from federal tax credits such as the Investment and Production Tax Credits, McHugh clarified that it is privately financed and will generate local property tax revenue through a Chapter 100 tax agreement, pending county approval.
Conceptual site layout for the proposed Gateway Trail Solar project showing the preliminary design for solar array placement across the Sams’ family farm. Click here to download.
The current landowner, Roy Sams, spoke in support of the project, emphasizing its role in preserving both the land and his family’s legacy. “My grandparents bought this farm in 1942, and it has been passed down through generations,” Sams said. “Farming is tough. This lease would allow me to maintain ownership while securing income for my family’s future without permanently altering the land.”
Several attendees echoed Sams’ position. Environmental advocate Linda Hetzel noted that solar development may actually support wildlife habitat. “If this land were developed for housing instead, it would likely remove timber and food sources. Solar farms allow ecosystems to thrive,” she said.
Rick Yoder, a supporter from Missouri Energy Professionals, urged the commission to think long-term. “What we have now isn’t going to sustain the number of people and cooling demands we’re facing,” he said, calling the shift to renewable energy both necessary and forward-thinking.
While the project has its supporters, it has also drawn criticism from nearby residents, including Joe and Susan Meehan, who live adjacent to the proposed site. Joe Meehan questioned whether the solar energy produced would directly benefit Excelsior Springs. “To our knowledge, the energy produced by this facility will not be going to our local community,” Meehan said. “If this will not support our local community, why is it going into our community for the next 30 or more years?”
Developers explained that the energy generated by the project will be added to the regional power grid, as is standard for utility-scale solar installations. The electricity contributes to overall energy supply, alongside other sources like wind, hydro, and natural gas, though specific distribution to individual communities cannot be guaranteed.
Other concerns centered on long-term oversight and company accountability. Excelsior Springs City Councilman Stephen Spear, who lives near the Sams property, raised concerns about the newness of the company. “This is the first solar farm application in Clay County, and we’re being asked to trust a company that has only been in business for a couple of years,” Spear said. “Unless the bond is fully funded upfront, there’s no guarantee that money will be available to remove the panels when the project ends.”
Mallory Brown from the City of Excelsior Springs also pointed to potential complications with city planning. “If developed, the solar farm prevents annexation and limits our ability to provide necessary utilities,” she said, explaining that the project is located in an area targeted for future city growth due to the region’s ongoing housing shortage.
The Meehans also voiced concerns about emergency infrastructure and environmental impacts. “The project will install an Industrial Solar Facility with no infrastructure should an emergency arise. Particularly, the risk of fire. This would require the City of Excelsior to respond to a facility at the City’s expense with inadequate and insufficient equipment and training over the life span of this project,” he said.
As for the impacts on wildlife, “There will be an eight-foot fence with barbed wire around the entire project, cutting off deer and turkey from the land,” Joe Meehan said. “Any runoff would also drain into the Fishing River. The Fishing River is a common border to this property, raising several environmental questions, including setback recommendations and riparian corridor that appear to have been ignored.”
In response to these concerns, Gateway Trail Solar has confirmed coordination with the Excelsior Springs Fire Department to develop emergency access plans and provide safety training. They clarified that no barbed wire would be used, and that the fencing would meet safety and aesthetic standards. The project will include vegetative screening buffers and follow state and federal environmental regulations, according to company representatives. A fully funded decommissioning bond will be in place to ensure the land is restored after the project concludes.
Gateway Trail Solar is scheduled to present a revised Conditional Use Permit application at the Clay County Planning and Zoning Commission meeting on July 1, 2025, at 6 p.m. The public is invited to attend in person or virtually at: https://www.claycountymo.gov/217/Planning-Zoning-Department.
*Editor’s note: Changes were made to this article on Monday, June 23, 2025, at 12:09 am to better reflect the voices opposing the Gateway Solar Project. Do you have something to add to the conversation? Consider submitting a letter to the editor by clicking here.
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