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Crest Hill approves Hendrickson solar array, grants special use permit and driveway variation
Summary
The city granted Hendrickson USA a special‑use permit and a variation to allow a 45‑foot driveway for a 4.8‑acre solar array adjacent to its manufacturing facility; the Planning Commission earlier recommended approval with conditions.
The Crest Hill City Council on Monday approved an ordinance granting Hendrickson USA a special‑use permit to build a solar array on about 4.8 acres adjacent to its Cayton Farm Road manufacturing facility and granted a variance to allow a 45‑foot driveway for an emergency access road.
Ron Metzner, interim Community and Economic Development director, told the council the Planning Commission held a public hearing April 24 and unanimously recommended approval with ten conditions. Metzner said the solar array would provide a more sustainable power supply for the large presses used in Hendrickson’s manufacturing process.
Chris Patch, general manager at Hendrickson, told the council, “We’re pretty excited about this opportunity.” Patch and a representative from Verde Solutions described the project at the city’s prior work session; no members of the public spoke for or against the request at the council meeting.
Alderman Scott Dyke moved to approve the ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. The council adopted the ordinance as Ordinance 2019. Metzner said the ordinance was consistent with the Planning Commission’s recommendation and the most current project plans.
The council and the company exchanged brief remarks about landscaping and pollinator plantings; Metzner noted the applicant agreed to add flowers intended to benefit monarch butterflies. Mayor Raymond R. Solomon congratulated Hendrickson and called the project a potential model for other area businesses.
No formal amendments to the special‑use conditions were recorded at the council meeting; the ordinance includes standard conditions recommended by staff and the plan commission.
