HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — A big solar project could still be headed to Houston County.
A Nashville based company called Silicon Ranch proposed a 4,700 acre project in Kathleen.
The Planning and Zoning board pushed back their July vote because of a problem with the application, but many in town are still thinking about the possible impact on the Oaky Woods Wildlife Management area.
For some people in Houston County, memories at Oaky Woods start from childhood.
"My dad used to bring us out here when I was just knee high to a grass hopper," Brandon Leininberg said. "We'd come out here make fires."
The good memories brought Leininberg back when he fell on hard times.
"I ended up becoming homeless," Leininberg said. "I was able to come out here and make it."
When other housing didn't accept him, the camp grounds did. Leininberg was able to temporarily use the park's year round camp site.
"I've seen a lot of changes," he said. "It used to be nothing but trees, and they keep putting all of these poles and stuff out here."
More changes could be on the way nearby. Silicon Ranch wants to build a 4,700 acre solar farm.
"I think they would mess it up if they put a whole bunch of solar panels out here," Leininberg said.
Instead, Leininberg said he wants to see investors nourish the soil and grow a place to create more childhood memories.
"A play ground," he said. "Just make it more for the community."
For now, developers plan to build the solar farm in two phases.
A map from the Georgia nature conservancy, calls the land around Oaky Woods a "less preferred" area for solar development.
Conservationists agree, saying 300 bears roam the woods, and many live where the panels would be located. They worry it could potentially harming the animals and their habitat.
"Are you for the good of humanity or are you about making a buck? A lot of people they are about making a buck," Leininberg said.
Silicon Ranch will have the chance to answer this question when their application could come back before the planning and zoning board on August 26th.