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County board approves 4.99 MW community solar; adjacent owner lodged objection
Summary
The Stevenson County Board approved a special-use permit for a 4.99 MW AC community solar facility after a Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation; one adjacent landowner objected and a condition was added to accommodate a septic drain field.
The Stevenson County Board approved a special-use permit for a 4.99-megawatt alternating-current community solar facility after the county Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval with a site condition.
The approval covers a proposed Greco Energy Transition Solutions/Brinkmeyer Solar installation on 22.9 acres of a 38.5-acre parcel at Illinois Route 73 and Hershey Road in Pearl City. The Zoning Board of Appeals held its hearing Sept. 11, 2025, and recommended approval provided the company accommodate an adjacent landowner’s septic drain-field location.
The special-use request drew at least one public objection. Sally Brandt, who said she owns land just north of the project, told the board she had not heard about the project until a separate objection meeting and that she was concerned about how the administrative process was handled. “I had no objection. I feel I live in a democratic country,” Brandt said during public comment, adding she was troubled by the way the objection meeting was conducted.
Director Beth Williams reported that one of seven adjacent landowners formally objected at the ZBA hearing and that testimony was presented to the ZBA. On the county board floor, a motion to approve the special use was made and seconded; the measure passed 9–3. Members voting no were Demeester, Jogurst, and Whalen.
Board discussion and the ZBA recommendation both included the condition that the company accommodate the location of the adjacent septic drain field before final approvals or permits proceed. Chairman (name not stated on the record) also used the floor to defend department staff after public remarks disparaged the zoning office, saying, “I cannot think of a better or more qualified person to manage the intricacies of zoning in Stephenson County,” in reference to Director Williams.
No vote record in the public minutes indicates that the board placed additional timing or financial limits on the project; the transcript contains no verbatim company presentation, engineering details, or final permitting schedule. The ZBA hearing and the board’s approval establish the county-level special-use authorization subject to the stated condition.
What happens next: the transcript does not specify permit issuance dates, building permits, interconnection steps with the utility, or required state approvals.
