Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals Committee met July 18.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
I. Call to Order/Pledge of Allegiance
| Attendee Name | Title | Status | Arrived |
| Dick Joyce | Present | ||
| Bob Breisch | Present | ||
| Lisa Lynch | Present | ||
| Mark Hill | Absent | ||
| Al Skwarczynski | Present | ||
| Mark Sandeno | Absent | ||
| Ryan Cryder | Absent | ||
| Mary Kucharz | County Administrator | Present | |
| Heidi Miller | Land Use Director | Present | |
| Jon Carson | Present | ||
| Elizabeth Greely | Present | ||
| Allen Hoffman | Present | ||
| Jake Frobish | Present | ||
| Emily Frobish | Present |
1. Zoning Board of Appeals Committee - Public Hearing - Jun 20, 2023 7:00 PM
Chairman Breisch asked if there were any subtractions or additions to the minutes. Seeing none he asked for a motion.
| RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]
MOVER: Al Skwarczynski SECONDER: Dick Joyce AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Skwarczynski ABSENT: Hill, Sandeno, Cryder |
1. Petition 23-ZBA-006 Special Use for Green Heron Solar
Chairman Breisch read into the record the petition to be considered and asked Miller to provide her summary.
Miller explained the facts of the petition and summarized the site and information provided by the petitioner Trajectory Energy Partners.
Skwarczynski asked Miller if the condition was added from a previous case regarding the interference to electronics. Miller confirmed that it was.
Jon Carson represented Trajectory Energy Partners for the petitioned Green Heron solar farm. He explained that they were working with IDOT regarding the expansion of IL Route 47 and wanted to ensure that they designed for that. Miller asked him to discuss further with Eric Gibson the Highway Engineer as he is the best person to know the information he would need.
Caron explained that their intent was to start construction in 2024. Stated that they are an Illinois based solar company and have several solar farms in Illinois and the mid-west. Closest one is within Kankakee County named Gar Creek Solar, LLC. Also stated that they have a solar farm in Grundy which will start construction soon along IL Rte 47 named Goodfarm Solar, LLC. He provided a packet which included a technical study by the BBJ Group concerning solar panel destruction and if the metals contained would leach out (found it was unlikely), Illinois Department of Revenue valuation of solar farms, support letters from Dan Duffy, neighbors, and the GEDC Nancy Norton. He explained how the farm would have the landscaping and provide maintenance for the interior and the exterior plantings along the highway. Carson concluded by stating that they had extensive conversations and outreach for this project.
Chair Breisch opened the public comment portion of the meeting.
Elizabeth Greely asked the following questions and received answers as shown in italics:
1) Greely owns the farms to the north, west and south and was concerned about having to tile her property based on the development. Wanted to ensure that the impact of this project would protect her farm tile.
Carson explained that the drain tile study would provide connection and proper flow for not only the development site but all tile coming in and around the site. Any breaks of tiles not found in the survey would be corrected.
2) Hail storms, storm water issues, and potential for fire
Carson stated that there was a hail storm in Nebraska that had baseball size hail that destroyed solar panels. It was determined that this was not injurious to the area. BBJ's study was also referred to. As the solar farm in the fall does have dried grasses under the arrays, they cut and clear the dried material out. The photovoltaic panels are cool to the touch and do not produce heat away from the farm. Trajectory will work with the local Fire Department to ensure proper fire fighting of the area. Inverters do have higher temperatures and are more of a concern.
3) Greely asked if there was insurance that the solar company would have to protect against the spread of fire for nearby properties.
Carson stated that the liability insurance would protect the incidents that they would be responsible for and that would include fire.
4) Greely asked about noxious weeds and how the company would maintain those without negative impacting the crops around them.
Carson said that the County would be enforcing the weed control requirements and that their company has a cut down maintenance and spraying for weed mitigation.
Skwarczynski asked Greely if her fields were currently tiled. Greely stated that they were but she would retile to be prepared.
Allen Hoffman asked Carson about the heat of the solar panels and fire potential from that. Carson stated that the panels are not hot and that there are some tiles that are intense point sources for solar that are extremely hot in California. Carson included that the solar arrays are 7 feet above the ground as well.
Hoffman asked how this solar farm would benefit residents on electrical bills. Carson explained that by subscribing on their electrical bills, they would saving the same amount that ComEd would be receiving.
Jake Frobish spoke and said that he wanted to ensure that his farm land would not negatively impact his neighbors property and felt that Trajectory Energy was a good company. He concluded by saying that he also talked to Bill Wollgast in regard to the drain tile and felt confident.
Miller advised that a Storm Water Review is complete for the property before a building permit is issued to ensure that it meets the code. Also, there are conditions that the solar company will need to meet in regard to the drain tile and the maintenance of the site for weeds and native species.
Public Hearing closed at 7:50 PM.
The ZBA members completed the analysis of the LaSalle Factors 1 through 8 and found no issues with the proposed Green Heron Solar, LLC solar farm.
Chair Breisch asked for a motion based on there was no further questions or comments from the members.
| RESULT: RECOMMENDED APPROVAL [UNANIMOUS] Next: 7/26/2023 4:30 PM
MOVER: Dick Joyce SECONDER: Al Skwarczynski AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Skwarczynski ABSENT: Hill, Sandeno, Cryder |
V. New Business
Miller stated that based on not receiving any petitions that there would be no August 15th ZBA meeting.
VI. Adjournment
The meeting was concluded at 8:09 PM by a motion from Dick Joyce, seconded by Lisa Lynch. Motion passed.
http://grundycountyil.iqm2.com/Citizens/FileOpen.aspx?Type=12&ID=3031&Inline=True
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