Grundy Reporter

Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals Committee met Nov. 21.

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		Present
Al Skwarczynski		Absent
Mark Sandeno		Present
Ryan Cryder		Present
Heidi Miller	Land Use Director	Present
Mary Kucharz	County Administrator	Present
Russ Baker	Assistant State's Attorney	Present

Representatives for the petitions included Raina Whittekiend, Ben Jacobi, and Christy Winer from Cypress Creek, and Ryan Magnoni; US Solar.

Public present included Nick Cosmos, Mark Hansen, Bob Koerner, Lawrence Eipers, Linda Baker, Joe Swithin, and Larry Johnson.

II. Approval of Minutes 

1. Zoning Board of Appeals Committee - Public Hearing - Oct 17, 2023 7:00 PM Chairman Breisch asked for the minutes either to be approved or modified and approved.

RESULT: APPROVED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Dick Joyce, Bob Breisch SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Skwarczynski

III. Official Business 

1. Petition 23-ZBA-016 Special Use for DuPont River Solar

Chairman Breisch read the petition and stated that staff was recommending that the petition be tabled until December 19, 2023. He opened the public hearing but asked to hold public comment until the December 19, 2023 meeting.

Sandeno moved that the petition be tabled, Joyce seconded. Motion passed.

Land Use Director Miller stated that there was a question concerning the State Law for Illinois in regard to the 1-1/2 mile planning area which had just been discussed with the Administrator Mary Kucharz and States Attorney Russ Baker. The question is whether the Village of Seneca would be waiving their ability to annex and site the solar farm as half of the proposed solar farm was in Seneca's planning area.

States Attorney Russ Baker also concurred and explained that he would be calling the Village of Seneca. Cypress Creek representative also stated that they would be in contact with the Village of Seneca.

Until that was clarified, staff felt that it would be better to table the petition at this time.

RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 12/19/2023 7:00 PM  MOVER: Mark Sandeno SECONDER: Dick Joyce AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Skwarczynski

2. Petition 23-ZBA-011 Special Use for USS Middle Solar

Chairman Breisch read all four petition numbers for items 2 through 5 on the agenda and then read into record Mr. Ryan Magnoni's (US Solar representative) email dated November 21, 2023 at 2:16 PM. The email from Magnoni to the Grundy County representatives and Chris Dearth for the City of Morris stated that for the four US Solar petitions of USS Middle Solar LLC, USS Saratoga LLC, USS Dupont Solar LLC, and USS Wauponsee Solar LLC that US Solar has accepted the recommendation from Director Heidi Miller that these four solar farms be tabled until all necessary materials and approvals are completed.

Chairman Breisch opened the public hearing but asked for the public comments be held until December 19, 2023 where the four petitions would be heard.

Hill motioned for all four petitions to be tabled until December 19, 2023, Sandeno seconded. Motion was passed for all four petitions to be tabled until December 19, 2023.

RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 12/19/2023 7:00 PM  MOVER: Mark Hill SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Skwarczynski

3. Petition 23-ZBA-013 Special Use for USS Saratoga Solar LLC

Chairman Breisch read all four petition numbers for items 2 through 5 on the agenda and then read into record Mr. Ryan Magnoni's (US Solar representative) email dated November 21, 2023 at 2:16 PM. The email from Magnoni to the Grundy County representatives and Chris Dearth for the City of Morris stated that for the four US Solar petitions of USS Middle Solar LLC, USS Saratoga LLC, USS Dupont Solar LLC, and USS Wauponsee Solar LLC that US Solar has accepted the recommendation from Director Heidi Miller that these four solar farms be tabled until all necessary materials and approvals are completed.

Chairman Breisch opened the public hearing but asked for the public comments be held until December 19, 2023 where the four petitions would be heard.

RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 12/19/2023 7:00 PM  MOVER: Mark Hill SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Skwarczynski

4. Petition 23-ZBA-014 Special Use USS Wauponsee Solar LLC

Chairman Breisch read all four petition numbers for items 2 through 5 on the agenda and then read into record Mr. Ryan Magnoni's (US Solar representative) email dated November 21, 2023 at 2:16 PM. The email from Magnoni to the Grundy County representatives and Chris Dearth for the City of Morris stated that for the four US Solar petitions of USS Middle Solar LLC, USS Saratoga LLC, USS Dupont Solar LLC, and USS Wauponsee Solar LLC that US Solar has accepted the recommendation from Director Heidi Miller that these four solar farms be tabled until all necessary materials and approvals are completed.

Chairman Breisch opened the public hearing but asked for the public comments be held until December 19, 2023 where the four petitions would be heard.

RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 12/19/2023 7:00 PM  MOVER: Mark Hill SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Skwarczynski

5. Petition 23-ZBA-012 Special Use for USS DuPont Solar LLC

Chairman Breisch read all four petition numbers for items 2 through 5 on the agenda and then read into record Mr. Ryan Magnoni's (US Solar representative) email dated November 21, 2023 at 2:16 PM. The email from Magnoni to the Grundy County representatives and Chris Dearth for the City of Morris stated that for the four US Solar petitions of USS Middle Solar LLC, USS Saratoga LLC, USS Dupont Solar LLC, and USS Wauponsee Solar LLC that US Solar has accepted the recommendation from Director Heidi Miller that these four solar farms be tabled until all necessary materials and approvals are completed.

Chairman Breisch opened the public hearing but asked for the public comments be held until December 19, 2023 where the four petitions would be heard.

RESULT: TABLED [UNANIMOUS] Next: 12/19/2023 7:00 PM  MOVER: Mark Hill SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Breisch, Lynch, Hill, Sandeno, Cryder ABSENT: Skwarczynski

IV. Old Business 

V. New Business 

VI. Adjournment 

Chairman Breisch asked for the committee for a motion to adjourn the meeting. Motioned by Sandeno, seconded by Lynch. Motion was passed. Adjournment at 7:20 PM.

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