McHenry County panel delays vote on ECA Solar community project pending tree study

McHenry County zoning officials on Tuesday continued a hearing on a conditional use permit for a proposed community solar facility east of U.S. Highway 14 in Hartland Township, setting a new date of Oct. 29, 2025, so the developer can supply a tree survey and a revised site plan that minimizes impacts to mature woodlands.

The petition, filed by Woodstock Community Energy Initiative LLC and presented by developer ECA Solar, covers a parcel with PIN 07-36-326-003 totaling roughly 88.075 acres; the solar array would occupy about 30.9 acres. Colin Walker, development manager for ECA Solar, described the proposal as "a 7.5 megawatt DC project, 5 megawatt AC," and said the project is designed as a community solar installation intended to serve approximately 1,100 ComEd customers.

Board members and several residents pressed the developer for clarity about tree removal, existing vegetation and mitigation. Multiple county board members said past practice requires a tree study before a final site-plan approval when significant acreage of trees could be cleared. Jessica Beverly moved to continue the hearing to allow the developer to submit a tree study and a site plan that reduces impacts to quality woodlands; the motion carried on a recorded vote of the six members present.

During the presentation, ECA Solar and its consultants said the site is zoned A-1 (agriculture), that the project area avoids mapped wetlands and FEMA flood zones, and that the developer proposes screening and temporary green mesh fencing during landscape establishment. Ben Dykema, an engineer with the project team, outlined stormwater and soil plans, saying the developer will perform drain-tile investigations, minimize grading, and apply for required McHenry County stormwater permits. The team also said it would post a decommissioning bond based on county methodology to fund site restoration if a developer is no longer present at the end of life.

Technical details discussed included an extension of three-phase electric service along about 6,300 feet of poles and crossarms to carry exported power to existing ComEd infrastructure; the developer said some poles may be replaced where needed and that six or seven on-site poles would be required to meet ComEd interconnection preferences. The team also referenced a glare study and a sound study prepared for the county and said predicted operational noise would fall within Illinois Pollution Control Board standards.

Neighbors at the hearing split on the project. Dennis Brightwell, who said he walks the property frequently, described a mix of oaks and other native trees in the areas that would be affected but also said he supports the project and its pollinator habitat. Another resident, Mary Bartnick, spoke in opposition, citing concerns about decommissioning liabilities, property values and wildlife impacts.

The board's continuance instructs the petitioner to provide a tree survey and a refined site plan that demonstrates how the project will minimize impacts to mature woodlands and wetlands in accordance with county requirements. The case was continued to Oct. 29, 2025, at 1:30 p.m. in the same hearing room; the board recorded a unanimous vote among the six members present to continue.

Pending materials the board asked the petitioner to provide before the continued hearing include a tree survey, clarification of proposed fencing and screening (including cut sheets for the temporary green mesh), and any updates to the site plan reflecting changes to avoid significant trees or wetlands. The developer also said it would continue coordination with IDOT on access control and with ComEd on interconnection work.