McHenry County Board approves zoning consent items, hears concern about solar panels and housing scarcity
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Summary
The board approved multiple zoning consent items (including items 11a3 and 11a4) and voted on a separate zoning petition (11b1) where a motion did not carry; a board member raised concerns during debate about large-scale solar installations taking agricultural land and contributing to housing pressure.
The McHenry County Board approved zoning consent items including agenda items 11a3 and 11a4, and later considered a separate petition (item 11b1) where a motion did not carry.
Clerk voting records in the transcript show the board opened electronic voting on the consent agenda, and the chair announced "Motion carries" after votes were recorded for the consent items. For item 11b1, a board member asked for clarification on whether a "yes" vote would support the petition; the clerk clarified that a yes vote would be in favor of the petition and a no vote would deny it. After discussion, the clerk announced, "Motion does not carry." The transcript does not provide a full roll-call tally in the excerpt for that specific item.
During discussion of item 11a4, board member Mr. Kunkel described constituent concerns about large-scale solar projects and housing availability. Kunkel recounted talking to a farmer "asking me why we are not stopping the solar panels," and described a young worker who said landlords and property managers were requiring substantial upfront rent payments, which the member said highlighted apartment scarcity for younger residents. Kunkel said he explained the county's legal constraints and advised the caller she could "seek an attorney" about any legal concerns.
Other procedural clarifications included Mr. Gotamoller confirming the board was following the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) recommendation procedure; a member noted the ZBA had voted 7–0 to deny a petition but the board’s voting sequence led to confusion over how to record support or denial for the petition on the floor.
What the board decided: Consent zoning items (11a3 and 11a4) were approved. A separate zoning petition (11b1) was moved but the motion did not carry in the recorded vote during the meeting; the transcript excerpt does not show a final disposition beyond "Motion does not carry." No ordinance or final rezoning adoption text appears in the excerpt.
The board’s discussion highlighted tensions between agricultural land use, renewable-energy siting (solar), and local housing availability; Kunkel emphasized constituent concerns while noting property owners retain significant rights over privately owned land.