Zoning official says solar site permitted under 2018 code but fines possible if sign and vegetation issues persist

Stephenson County zoning staff told the county board on Aug. 12 that a solar facility permitted in 2018 is governed by the 2018 code and is not automatically subject to the county’s 2023 rules for signage and vegetation. Beth Gilmore, a county zoning official, said the solar site at Dembowski and West Nor Road was permitted in February 2018 and that the facility must follow the 2018 code. "It follows the 2018 code. We don't have in that code regulations for signs, regulations for weeds," she said. Why it matters: Neighbors and the board raised concerns that stacked solar panels, a spool of wire and a cargo trailer on the site appear to violate current county standards; residents sought clarity on whether the county could fine the operator under the older permit rules. Gilmore told the board she had informed the company on July 28 to correct signage and vegetation and that if issues remained on Aug. 8 the operator would be assessed a $150 per day fine. She later said she had misread the code on one point, apologized to the company, and that the company was working on signage. Gilmore said the county mailed two new violation letters and one final demand and that there are 15 outstanding violations across the county for various matters. Discussion vs. decision: The board did not adopt new rules at the meeting. Gilmore said the county can issue fines for sign and vegetation violations tied to the company's permit conditions and that stacks of solar panels, wire spools and shipping containers that are not causing immediate harm may not be prohibited under the 2018 permit. What remains unclear: The zoning official said some elements (vegetation, signage) would be addressed with a 10-day notice and potential fines; whether fines have been assessed was not stated. No appeal schedule or specific ordinance citation was read into the record during the meeting. Ending: Gilmore said she will continue to monitor the site, that two violation letters and a final demand have been mailed, and that she would update the board if the IEPA or other agencies make independent findings.