Dimension Energy seeks special-use approval for 5 MW community solar farm near Pekin

Dimension Energy representatives asked the Tazewell County Zoning Board on July evening to recommend a special-use permit for a 5-megawatt commercial community solar farm on a 28-acre portion of a 70-acre parcel off Mennonite Church Road in Tazewell County, just north of Pekin.

The project proponent, Paul Irby, senior development manager for Dimension Energy, told the board the site would be rented under a 25-year lease with a five‑year option, use single-axis trackers across about 28 acres, and aim to offer subscribers roughly a 10% savings on their Ameren bills. He said the company estimates just under $600,000 in property tax revenue over the project's roughly 30‑year life and that the installation would be set back from nearby roads and residences with a 20‑foot vegetative buffer and a 7‑foot chain‑link fence.

Staff from the county planning/land-use office recommended approval, reporting that the project meets setback and dimensional rules, the county comprehensive plan includes language supporting supplemental farm income, and the site's topography will partially shield the facility from nearby views. The staff report also noted the property contains prime farmland soils (ratings between 125 and 135) and recommended mitigation measures, including an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement and a landscape buffer. Tazewell County Soil and Water recommended denial, citing removal of productive farmland. The health department noted construction requirements such as portable toilets and well‑abandonment procedures.

In discussion, Irby and engineering consultant Jill Roberts described site details: access will use an existing farm track off Mennonite Church Road, the nearest residence is about 1,000 feet from the proposed array, the interconnection study with Ameren was underway, and any required distribution upgrades would be funded by the project. The team said it had completed cultural‑resource consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office and had identified drain tile lines on the site; they said they would avoid or remediate tiles and follow the county's Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement requirements. Construction was estimated at four to six months once permits and interconnection are secured.

Board members asked about long‑term operations, vegetation and pollinator habitat establishment, use of local contractors, and insurance/cleanup in storm events. Irby said Dimension Energy intends to own and operate the facility long term, plans to use native/pollinator seed mixes and consider livestock grazing for vegetation maintenance, will pursue local operations and maintenance contractors where feasible, and will provide standard liability insurance and decommissioning assurances. Staff and the applicant said a road‑use agreement with the township would be arranged if needed to upgrade the access drive for construction traffic.

No final vote on a recommendation by the zoning board is recorded in the provided transcript excerpt; the case is a Class A application for which the zoning board issues a recommendation to the Tazewell County Board, which has final authority on Class A special‑use permits.

The board and applicants left the record open for questions and detailed engineering after the hearing; land‑use staff will capture conditions of approval if the board moves to recommend the special use to the county board.