[{"_1":2,"_87":-5,"_88":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6369084,"mediaKeyId","2155343-dcc94c60f8e113c782e2860be4f9e833","parentId",2155343,"title","Peoria County approves 5-megawatt Allen Solar community array despite Chillicothe objections","audioSeconds",1407,"startMs",2116000,"endMs",3523000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2155343-dcc94c60f8e113c782e2860be4f9e833&start=2116&end=3523","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2155343-dcc94c60f8e113c782e2860be4f9e833/thumbnail_2116000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6369084/Peoria-County/Illinois/Peoria-County-approves-5-megawatt-Allen-Solar-community-array-despite-Chillicothe-objections","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369084-d842385a95c06422838f6cfa4af73e41/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160824&Signature=k7rDw5j6lLH0JsF7LthqLFsJ0gCE9zppSt1kE6pDCxTKBioXHo0GdVAqiksBK2GNDgr9u-z2-VbIjG~0~GKoZBjYCf5CbXhzQiP6UzTwrYUOK6y1VfYzA6-yrGAQQ2cCJFFbwgohhB6svGfdOGIJcows67QJsdG~CvQd0CQsRn1NP4FY~0ug7nMmEELsIrNA3vzXsgq8iqNUBEfi-fbLfO-fCe9so8YZb7pzovj-2CpvwK-7Kb0EGy-Q~cYiojAuoaAbunZCIpg8EgBk9NRZag~UkocxgST3RyZ-o43ad60~DK3Z1cRrtVBONhC0RzwbRV3xq0mfc8vxXq31z4prOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Peoria County, IL","date","2025-01-27T22:01:54Z","article","Peoria County zoning committee members voted 6-2 to approve special-use zoning case CBA 20250005, permitting Allen Solar LLC to construct and operate a 5-megawatt AC commercial solar energy facility on a roughly 34-acre parcel on East Sycamore Street in Haug Township. The committee’s approval carries seven conditions, including a decommissioning plan consistent with the Illinois Department of Agriculture agricultural impact-mitigation agreement (AIMA) and a restriction that the special use is tied to Allen Solar LLC or its affiliates.

Why it matters: The approval replaces an earlier 2018 authorization for 4 megawatts on the same site with a single 5-megawatt project; company and staff said the consolidation responds to changed state incentive rules and allows more output on the same acreage. Neighbors and a Chillicothe representative argued the location is too close to residences and constrains future town growth.

Andrew, Peoria County planning staff, described the project as rows of single-axis tracker photovoltaic panels, perimeter fencing and ancillary electrical equipment and said the petitioner’s site plan respects the required 150-foot separation from dwellings on nonparticipating properties. He noted the facility would interconnect to Ameren and that the petitioner had submitted an executed agricultural impact mitigation agreement and a decommissioning plan as required by the County and Illinois Department of Agriculture standards.

Paul Makarowitz, a representative for AES Clean Energy and Allen Solar, stated the project is \"still a community solar project\" and explained the change from two smaller projects to a consolidated 5-megawatt facility was driven by Illinois incentive rules; he told the committee the electricity would be distributed into the Ameren local grid and that AES typically remains an owner‑operator of such projects.

Several members raised concerns about proximity to the city of Chillicothe and the potential effect on the town's future westward growth. Terry (county board member) said the project \"doesn't seem to be terribly different except that it's in the wrong place\" and stated he would vote against approval. Jimmy and others clarified that the site previously had a perpetual approval for 4 megawatts from 2018 and that approving the 5-megawatt special use would replace that authorization but would not add new acreage.

The motion to approve passed 6-2. The record shows one formal objection on file and a letter from the Hallett Township Road Commissioner listing conditions the developer must meet; the Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended approval 4-3. Planning staff added three new recommended restrictions (limiting transferability of the special use to Allen Solar LLC/affiliates, requiring that development commence within three years of approval, and annual contact information updates) in addition to standard permit and decommissioning requirements.

Ending: With the committee approval, the petitioner may pursue permits and begin the multi-phase construction timeline anticipated to start in the second half of 2025; the decision included conditions intended to address county enforcement and long-term responsibility for the solar facility.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Peoria County Land Use Committee","oneSentenceSummary","The Peoria County committee approved special-use CBA 20250005 to allow a 5 MW commercial (community) solar facility on a 34-acre parcel at East Sycamore Street, imposing seven conditions including a decommissioning plan and limiting the special use to Allen Solar LLC or affiliates; the measure passed 6-2.","taxTitle","Peoria County, Illinois","taxId",2551,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6369087,"Peoria County panel approves conversion of former Kroger to indoor mini storage, bars outdoor units",1820,290000,2110000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2155343-dcc94c60f8e113c782e2860be4f9e833&start=290&end=2110","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2155343-dcc94c60f8e113c782e2860be4f9e833/thumbnail_290000.jpg","/articles/6369087/Peoria-County/Illinois/Peoria-County-panel-approves-conversion-of-former-Kroger-to-indoor-mini-storage-bars-outdoor-units","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6369087-2c4982f01a81716e14b2b9a7b8b52ace/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160824&Signature=oMVscRCFhHEc8eztiO7xkmJqHDndjn7AT5w~BoKVZW03ITweYP5rRiYO5MYIOlrIT5dwTE-N7DaTxcn~A1Aed~e-yW7iOntppC-0Nt9-GBDNkct7fPFrn2o85S0CHJhh2KLukbqT1N6xOxkDuQHGLOJcFa7~Pm8DaUxxfqCIGUWzXoo1uAfmj~FhLtVo8WLZC7kk5GxW0Uh2CNCo-cQhVRFmaGlpS2T3IfoFwRVTyjNJoPab~jxL6~nLBcBuwo6g~9CusAg05zZ6fsjknvQwJui~Srhf0eWFnfbh-piioS66esVk6XXKXkzN8oRB8QhuKuOvypzYBZEyiNwSdlD7Gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Peoria County zoning committee members voted unanimously to approve special-use zoning case CVA 20250004, allowing the conversion of roughly 52,000 square feet of vacant retail space at Madison Park Shopping Center (3101 West Harmon Highway) into an indoor mini storage facility, with an amendment expressly prohibiting outdoor storage.

County planning staff told the committee the proposal would repurpose the former Kroger and adjacent vacant retail space into indoor climate‑controlled storage and add an outdoor component of constructed locker bays in the parking area; staff emphasized the final site plan and parking would be reviewed at building permit stage. The committee approved the special use with a restriction that the outdoor storage area not be allowed as part of this approval.

Why it matters: The decision permits reuse of a large vacant retail footprint while limiting the visible, outdoor storage elements that several county members said could harm adjacent small businesses and neighborhood character.

Andrew, Peoria County planning staff, summarized the petition and site context, saying the application \"would repurpose approximately 52,000 square feet of vacant retail space\" and described an indoor component with gate access, security cameras and staffed hours, plus an outdoor component composed of constructed locker bays in the front parking area. He told the committee the submission is a conceptual site plan; a comprehensive site plan and building permits would be required later to confirm parking, setbacks and aisle widths and ensure compliance with the Unified Development Ordinance.

Board members questioned whether the proposed outdoor units would reduce parking for neighboring tenants. Sharon (county board member) said she had parking concerns and that \"that seems to do a pretty good business. So I'm concerned about the parking.\" Other members echoed concerns about how outdoor storage might be laid out in the parking area and whether fencing, gates or unrefined construction would create visual or circulation problems for the shopping center.

A committee member moved to advance the special use with the restriction that no outdoor storage be allowed under the current approval; Sharon seconded. The voice vote on the amendment and the final, amended motion passed unanimously.

Procedural and follow-up details: Planning staff noted that if the restriction remains, the applicant could still move forward with interior construction and could later seek a modification if the owner returned with more detailed plans or additional evidence before the Zoning Board of Appeals. Staff also stated that the building-permit process requires a site plan review to verify parking and accessibility, including handicapped spaces, and that any constructed exterior bays would have to meet setback and aisle-width requirements in the Unified Development Ordinance.

What the record shows and what remains unclear: The application lists seven other tenants in the center that would not be impacted by the interior conversion, and staff said the outdoor bays shown in the conceptual drawing would be constructed rather than simply fenced areas. The transcript and record do not include a detailed square footage for the adjacent liquor store or a finalized exterior site plan; planning staff said those details would be determined during permit review or, if additional evidence is needed, at a return ZBA hearing.

Ending: The committee’s action allows the property owner and developer to proceed with the indoor conversion while removing the immediate option for outdoor storage. Planning staff will review required permits and the detailed site plan during the building-permit stage, and the applicant may pursue a future modification if it wants outdoor storage after additional review or ZBA testimony.","A Peoria County zoning committee approved a special-use request to convert vacant retail space at Madison Park Shopping Center into a 52,000-square-foot indoor mini storage facility, adding a condition that prohibits outdoor storage on the site.","actionData","errors"]

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Peoria County approves 5-megawatt Allen Solar community array despite Chillicothe objections

Peoria County panel approves conversion of former Kroger to indoor mini storage, bars outdoor units