McLean County Board approves 300-megawatt Dawson Solar special use over neighbor objections

The McLean County Board on Sept. 11 approved a special-use permit allowing Dawson Solar LLC to construct a 300-megawatt solar energy generating facility in Dawson Township, voting 11–8 to accept the Zoning Board of Appeals recommendation. The vote followed public comments from neighboring residents who said the project could reduce property values and raised safety and agricultural concerns.

The motion to approve the application was made by Member Leah Klein and seconded by Member Eric Hansen; the tally recorded 11 yes votes and 8 no votes. The board counted “yes” votes in favor of approving the ZBA recommendation; board clerks read the roll call aloud during the meeting.

Why it matters: The project would occupy a multi-thousand-acre tract of farmland in Dawson Township and, according to the applicant, would generate a multi‑million‑dollar tax stream and temporary construction employment; neighbors and several board members argued the county record did not fully quantify local economic losses, property-value impacts, or public‑safety tradeoffs.

Brendan…