County board approves Little Prairie 135 MW solar farm with battery storage
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Summary
After several public supporters spoke, the Champaign County Board approved an ordinance granting a special-use permit and decommissioning plan for the Little Prairie 135 MW solar farm and 135 MW battery energy storage system in zoning case 144‑S‑24.
The Champaign County Board on April 24 voted to approve an ordinance granting a special‑use permit for the Little Prairie Hybrid Solar Project, a proposed 135 megawatt solar array paired with a 135 megawatt battery energy storage system, in zoning case 144‑S‑24.
Supporters who spoke during public input said the project would supply lower‑cost energy and bring tax and employment benefits. “Expanding solar energy capacity and battery storage in Champaign County will bring a lot of direct benefits … supporting almost 200 construction jobs, supplying lower cost energy to 35,000 homes, and generating $19,000,000 in property taxes,” resident Chelsea Peterson said during public comment. David Holly, the BayWa RE point of contact for the project, and other members of the development team were present to answer questions.
The board’s Environment, Land Use and Zoning Committee moved the ordinance (listed as ordinance number 2025‑7) and the full board approved it by voice vote. The motion approved three waivers of standard conditions and accepted a decommissioning and site reclamation plan submitted with the application.
The project was explicitly identified in meeting materials and a zoning motion introduced at the April 24 committee recommendation. County staff and the developer were on hand to field questions during the committee discussion and at the board meeting.
The ordinance grants the special use and approves the decommissioning plan; the motion carried by voice vote at the board meeting. The recorded minutes and committee summary place the zoning case as approved; no roll‑call tally was recorded in the transcript excerpt provided.
The developer and proponents told the board they plan setbacks beyond county minimums for many site boundaries and to locate battery storage away from residences. Developer representatives said they will use cover crops and other post‑installation practices that can improve soil over time. The transcript does not record additional binding conditions beyond the waivers and the decommissioning plan included with the permit.
The project is listed in county committee materials as zoning case 144‑S‑24 and was represented at the meeting by BayWa RE staff. The board’s approval allows the project to proceed to the next required local and agency permitting steps; the transcript does not record subsequent state or interagency approvals.
Votes at this meeting were taken by voice for the ordinance motion; the transcript records the motion carried.
