[{"_1":2,"_98":-5,"_99":-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",[32,74,86],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_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":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6064773,"mediaKeyId","3229733-779e955901bc73badf286f5a3f431255","parentId",3229733,"title","Zoning board declines to recommend Gore Road community solar after Morris objects","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",1853000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229733-779e955901bc73badf286f5a3f431255&start=1853&end=1853","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229733-779e955901bc73badf286f5a3f431255/thumbnail_1853000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6064773/Grundy-County/Illinois/Zoning-board-declines-to-recommend-Gore-Road-community-solar-after-Morris-objects","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064773-2f9518ae7c4dbd7b31f89e2e9d274a4e/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987571&Signature=mFRtfhO5W6cf14iK8f~QA9CYudABhAW3nqcQHl9MMa8VCOjYa0tXuhHQ950V7CiZfdIcdCDp6WFc4xrF63K5H~zwtN6mGfKwePF0iqH3izbOeP7UBhGZiWWCKOmU4zASSa5Jn03joRmrzgR21s2JKlxkQFt965OxqSWk4bAiWzlOBaGR19qGFXB26Sy6BatBLCDOPiJKBgjZB1WwUhiQgD5DrQp-xYbPR3dCmVhhVas0FfDu5Y9sRu6iqu55ngGIP52sQVq0-xnfXY7vy9ARXDHSFQdGcQuu5BVhwbcE~OmDEJvMTfR9~AZimovAGS~39NXBoKunphE~yj8OIfU~dg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Grundy County, IL","date","2025-04-15T00:00:00Z","article","The Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals voted not to recommend a proposed 5‑megawatt community solar project — the Gore Road Community Energy Initiative (GRCEI) — after an extended hearing that included technical presentations by the developer and formal objection from the City of Morris.

ECA Solar and project counsel introduced the proposal to develop approximately 37.5 acres of a 155.47‑acre parcel near the Ritchie Bros. auction site and Interstate‑80. The applicant said the project would generate roughly 5 MW alternating current (about 990 average homes), sign a community subscription that prioritizes Morris residents, pay private costs for electrical upgrades, and enter an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA) with the Illinois Department of Agriculture. Developers also provided environmental reviews, a threatened and endangered species assessment, EcoCAT consultation, a State Historic Preservation Office clearance, a glare study (FAA‑based tool) and a sound analysis; staff noted correspondence from multiple agencies and that ComEd interconnection approval and a road‑use agreement were required before site development permits.

The City of Morris submitted a formal written objection and its planner testified that the city’s comprehensive plan designates the parcel for “limited industrial” uses; city representatives argued the parcel’s frontage and proximity to Ritchie Bros. and I‑80 make it better suited for industrial or warehousing development that would bring greater long‑term tax revenue and permanent jobs. The city also provided a resolution opposing the special use.

Project counsel and developer representatives countered that the county zoning and the applicant’s compliance with county special‑use standards support approval; they noted state case law and a prior circuit court ruling that limited municipal intervention in county permitting for solar projects. ECA Solar and witnesses detailed measures to mitigate visual and environmental impacts, including a landscape and pollinator plan, an opaque green mesh screen during plant establishment, setbacks, decommissioning assurances under the AIMA, and commitments to local union labor during construction.

After deliberation, the Zoning Board failed to pass a motion to give a positive recommendation with conditions (members split); the board then passed a motion to deny a positive recommendation and will not forward a favorable recommendation to the county board. The project may still be considered at later county hearings; the record will include city objections and staff reports.

Votes at a glance: Motion to recommend the Gore Road solar project failed; subsequent motion to deny forwarding a positive recommendation passed on roll call.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Zoning Board of Appeals Public Hearing 4/15/2025","oneSentenceSummary","The Zoning Board of Appeals declined to forward a positive recommendation for a proposed 5 MW community solar project on Gore Road after objections from the City of Morris; the board voted to deny recommending the project to the county board, citing the city’s planning concerns.","taxTitle","Grundy County, Illinois","taxId",73166,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6064777,"Zoning board gives conditional thumbs-up to proposed 14‑bed drug and alcohol rehab in Coal City area",1203,943000,2146000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229733-779e955901bc73badf286f5a3f431255&start=943&end=2146","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229733-779e955901bc73badf286f5a3f431255/thumbnail_943000.jpg","/articles/6064777/Grundy-County/Illinois/Zoning-board-gives-conditional-thumbs-up-to-proposed-14bed-drug-and-alcohol-rehab-in-Coal-City-area","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064777-2f6235aea259bbc17426da7e36194ddf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987571&Signature=G5Wl23mvjBuqQwhQTCOgkVLURJ06H3WgD6pyJf0SrJnwxmN5QFxHlRjHenQQvWkR10R02xW0qSWtku1LQHGnmo0gBzNmNzzF6vjWnyXCrv90g3OHojTsFHnPaIwT~2Ys~X6hHahWplhHwH8g6SAEhzU0v3n~cZ1D3RPOVKzOBVidRZzdwqK1WIGjRV2JGxHfpxpPyjai7eKnZ1CBjsy6WhVU3vgqKe2ngYRKKsRHG1hoxWg2o1G2lJIDmAqLvxapiD0hrmMNnMSPf2cb7~SqUIwOAKZ7TmEiB36rDvNUl~rKQdQ6prz5ZBnzlbHyh4qpIsCswSGCHznsNfP2u2Htbw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend approval of a special‑use permit for a proposed residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility operated by Existential Counselor Society (ECS), subject to multiple health, safety and operational conditions.

Petition 25‑ZBA‑006 seeks to convert a former restaurant property at 8455 East Pine Bluff Road in Goose Lake Township into a residential treatment program for up to 14 men, ages 21–65, with 24‑hour care and 28‑day treatment cycles. Staff said the applicant, Dr. Bipin Sharma, is president, CEO and clinical director of Existential Counselor Society and currently operates three ECS facilities in Joliet.

County staff presented recommended conditions drawn from Environmental Health, Fire and other departments. Those conditions included repair or replacement of a failing septic system, commercial‑kitchen compliance and an annual food permit, private well water testing (for total coliforms, nitrates and nitrites) with approval before occupancy, full fire‑suppression and alarm plan approval, submission of facility and staff certifications, a limit of 14 clients at any time, and a limit of five visible vehicles on site to preserve a residential character. The staff memo said Coal City Fire, Environmental Health and the Grundy County Highway Engineer must clear the site before building or occupancy permits are issued.

Dr. Sharma described his program as a medically attended residential program for clients who have completed detox and seek 28 days of structured therapy. He told the board ECS operates privately and monitors clients 24 hours a day; staff include licensed counselors and nurse practitioners. He said most clients pay through insurance but that ECS has accepted clients without the ability to pay and that the program emphasizes confidentiality and alumni follow‑up.

The hearing drew extensive public comment. Some neighbors and residents — including multiple homeowners living immediately adjacent to the site — spoke in opposition citing concerns about distance from emergency services, potential effects on property values, and perceived safety risks. Two written opposition letters from nearby residents were read into the record. Other speakers, many of them former ECS clients and medical professionals, testified in favor of the facility, describing treatment success, the local need for access to substance‑use disorder services and the personal benefits of the ECS approach.

After public testimony and staff review, the board moved to recommend the special‑use permit forward to the county Land Use Committee with the staff‑recommended conditions; the Zoning Board’s roll call recorded a positive recommendation.

Votes at a glance: Zoning Board recommended approval of Petition 25‑ZBA‑006 (special use for a residential institutional drug/alcohol treatment facility) with conditions; the matter proceeds to the Land Use Committee for further review.","After an extended public hearing with dozens of residents speaking for and against, the Zoning Board of Appeals issued a positive recommendation — subject to conditions — for a special‑use permit for a 14‑bed residential drug and alcohol treatment facility proposed by Existential Counselor Society (ECS).",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6064782,"Zoning board backs Huerta family rezoning to allow second home on shared access",722,205000,927000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3229733-779e955901bc73badf286f5a3f431255&start=205&end=927","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3229733-779e955901bc73badf286f5a3f431255/thumbnail_205000.jpg","/articles/6064782/Grundy-County/Illinois/Zoning-board-backs-Huerta-family-rezoning-to-allow-second-home-on-shared-access","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6064782-2bffc86f0c98b7a5b87164ad2afbd1fa/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987571&Signature=CDWrrwgg00iKeN261BrYWHMTqtKR~Ik2Mos---dOQl~tb0i1SCYYPRGmAHfMiXyVueuuh6lvgG97M9M5hFcD7~e4omyAqgWj~90OXZhyXAU8t-a9Tt157DHGXVtgL1CUys9ABVuZSYyTfI8uS14wimbVlzEEcJK73Bvh9WcyX2B6MUYvPBf~G~uY9ds8jgaHzP2U7MbkV3Y4o5RZpIJoXTp3lJx94OpscE-MNJx7h0cizBXMAajJuUUWusUv~27AcCwU45sKcxR-Bf82rRLNWI3CIhAQZWjLGDXHs4LXtA4RrNZDT7E7p7UWtoADBZIgOzkQA4pCba1JkW~bJT-O4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals members voted unanimously to recommend a map amendment that would rezone a parcel owned by the Huerta family from Agricultural to Agricultural-Residential, allowing a second home on what the petitioner described as a two-lot family arrangement.

The petition, listed as 25-ZBA-004, would allow Julio Huerta’s father to build on a lot immediately south of an existing lot owned by Julio. County staff described the request as a map amendment “to allow for a home permit” and said the property has legal access via an easement across the neighboring lot and an approved road cut onto Sherrill Road.

The change was presented to the board by Heidi Miller of the Land Use Department, who said the site’s Natural Resource Inventory scored the soils as “moderate to not prime” and that required public notices and agency notifications had been completed. Miller asked the board to consider the eight LaSalle factors before making a recommendation.

Julio Huerta testified that the family intends to build the front lot first and the lot to the south “potentially within the year.” He told the board he purchased both lots and that the home for the southern lot would be sited behind the existing permitted home using the same entrance lane.

Board members walked through each LaSalle factor during the hearing and voiced no objections. After discussion, board member Joyce moved for a positive recommendation; the motion was seconded and carried on a roll call vote of 6–0.

The Zoning Board will forward the recommendation and the application to the Land Use Committee for further review on April 23; the county board is scheduled to consider a final decision in May per staff notice.

Votes at a glance: The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that Petition 25‑ZBA‑004 be forwarded positively to the Land Use Committee (vote: 6 yes, 0 no).","Grundy County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 6-0 to give a positive recommendation for a map amendment that would change one parcel from Agricultural to Agricultural-Residential (AR) so a second family home can be built and share an access drive.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Zoning board declines to recommend Gore Road community solar after Morris objects

Zoning board gives conditional thumbs-up to proposed 14‑bed drug and alcohol rehab in Coal City area

Zoning board backs Huerta family rezoning to allow second home on shared access