Grundy Reporter

Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals Committee met July 15.

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		Present
Ryan Cryder		Absent
Alec Macdonald	Director of Development	Present
Mary Kucharz	County Administrator	Present
Beth Skoff	Land Use Assistant	Present

Public Attendees:

Jim Griffin - Schain/Banks, Hanna Udischas - Nexamp, Kelsey Sidrys - Manhard Consulting, Steve Kinsella, Nancy Norton - GEDC, Chris Dearth - City of Morris, Mike Hoffman - City of Morris Planner, Tom Betzwiser, Christina VanYpren - Chamber of Commerce, Mike Kinsella - Land Owner, Mark Betzwiser, Patricia - Manhard, Jim Hersh - Atty for Lightstar, Dan Duffy - Village of Minooka, Miles Scott-Stirn, Kyle McAdam -Lightstar Renewables

II. Approval of Minutes 

1. Zoning Board of Appeals Committee - Public Hearing - Jun 17, 2025 7:00 PM

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Al Skwarczynski SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Skwarczynski, Sandeno

III. Official Business 

1. Petition 25-ZBA-007 - Brisbin Solar LLC

Chairman Breisch swore in the crowd. Chairman Breisch had Alec Macdonald read summery. Jim Griffin, Atty for petitioner, introduced the team that spoke and provided a brief summery. Hanna Udischas - Nexamp Project Development, spoke about Nexamp, the location of proposed solar facility, and the solar facility itself. Kelsey Sidrys - Manhard Consulting, spoke of the site plan. There were no questions from the ZBA members. Steve Kinsella spoke in opposition and questioned Ms. Udischas on the solar facility. Nancy Norton - GEDC spoke in opposition of the solar facility based on its location. Chris Dearth - City of Morris Attorney, spoke in opposition based on tax value based on the plan for theproperty and the location. Mike Hoffman - Morris City Planner, opposed the location. Hoffman stated there is developmental interest in that location. Tom Betzwiser spoke on the signage postings on the property, wildlife and drain tiles on the proposed site. Christina VanYpren - Chamber of Commerce spoke in opposition to the location. Mike Kinsella - Land owner, said he would make more money off the solar facility the corn and soy beans. Mark Betzwiser opposed based on the location as well. Chairman Breisch closed public comment at 7:50pm. As the ZBA went through the LaSalle Factors and they determined that there were issues with 3 of the 8 factors. LaSalle Factor #1- The compatibility with the existing use and zoning of near by properties, the ZBA felt there is a problem with the location. LaSalle factor #4- The relative gain to the public, as compared to the hardship imposed upon the applicant, the ZBA felt that it is not a current problem but in the future based on the value in time could hurt the community and there is more to be gained for this property. LaSalle factor #7 - The consistency of the proposed amendment with the Comprehensive Plan, and any adopted land use policies, the ZBA felt there is a problem, because of intended future industrial use in that location and voted 4-0 to send a negative recommendation to the Land Use Committee.

RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 7/23/2025 4:30 PM MOVER: Al Skwarczynski SECONDER: Mark Sandeno AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Skwarczynski, Sandeno

2. Petition 25-ZBA-008 East North Road Aux Sable D.B.A. Lightstar Renewables

Chairman Breisch had Alec Macdonald read summery. Kyle McAdam of Lightstar Renewables spoke about the solar facility. Patricia from Manhard spoke about the site plan. Jim Hersh, the attorney, spoke of the statute on solar projects (55 ILCS 5/5-12020). Dan Duffy - Village of Minoka Administrator spoke in opposition, does not fall into long term plan for Minooka in that location. Mark Betzwiser spoke in opposition of its location of near by residents. Nancy Norton - GEDC, spoke on opposition of the location. Norton stated that industrial development will provide more tax dollars than a solar facility. Interconnection lines in that area would be better suited for industrial/commercial. Miles Scott-Stirn opposed based upon location, it surrounds his home, affects property value, public notices being taken down too soon, landscaping and sound. Christina Van Ypren opposed based on location. Chairman Breisch closed public comment at 8:34pm. The ZBA went through the LaSalle Factors they determined that there were issues with 3 of the 8 factors. Lasalle Factor #1 - The compatibility with the existing use and zoning of near by properties, the ZBA felt there was a problem based on the future plans presented by Minooka, Morris and Grundy County Commerce and what they had to say about the location of the proposed site. LaSalle Factor #5 - The suitability of the subject property for which it is presently zoned, the ZBA felt there was a problem in that it interferes with the Comprehensive Plan of the County and voted 4-0 to send a negative recommendation to the Land Use Committee.

RESULT: REFERRED TO COMMITTEE [UNANIMOUS] Next: 7/23/2025 4:30 PM MOVER: Dick Joyce SECONDER: Al Skwarczynski AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Skwarczynski, Sandeno

IV. Old Business 

There was no old business to discuss.

V. New Business 

There was no new business to discuss.

VI. Adjournment

Grundy County IL Page 2 Updated 7/18/2025 2:28 PM 

Minutes Zoning Board of Appeals July 15, 2025 

1. Motion to Adjourn at 8:38pm

RESULT: ACCEPTED [UNANIMOUS]  MOVER: Dick Joyce SECONDER: Al Skwarczynski AYES: Joyce, Lynch, Skwarczynski, Sandeno

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