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Land Use Committee approves 5 MW Waterleaf Solar project near Peoria International Airport
Summary
Peoria County approved a special-use permit for Waterleaf Solar LLC to construct a 5-megawatt array on 22 acres across a 65.29-acre parcel; staff recommended approval with restrictions and the zoning board of appeals recommended approval 4–1.
The Peoria County Land Use Committee unanimously approved a special-use permit for Waterleaf Solar LLC to build and operate a 5-megawatt commercial solar facility on 22 acres of a 65.29-acre parcel near Peoria International Airport.
Andrew Braun, Peoria County zoning director, said the project would connect to the Harmon substation approximately 3.55 miles northwest of the site and could power “approximately 1,000 homes.” Braun said the parcel is in Limestone Township, zoned A-2, and the nearest nonparticipating single-family dwelling is about 776 feet to the east. The Federal Aviation Administration submitted a letter stating no objection provided structures do not exceed 7 feet; the petitioner’s arrays will be no more than 4 feet.
Braun said staff recommended approval with eight restrictions and that the petitioner had submitted an executed Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA) required by the Illinois Department of Agriculture. The zoning board of appeals recommended approval by a vote of 4 to 1. Braun also noted the county is applying a recently adopted standard restriction that requires developers to submit an annual list of officers/contact information in perpetuity and that approvals of this type include nontransferability provisions unless the acquiring business assumes the rights.
Committee members asked clarifying questions about timing; Braun explained that permit issuance must occur within three years of approval (the county’s current practice), which he characterized as “the issue date of the permit must be 3 years from the date of approval.” He explained that filing for the permit—rather than completion of construction—was the relevant deadline. The petitioner had requested a four-year period; the zoning board’s recommendation retained three years.
There were no recorded written consents or objections on file related to this petition. The committee voted unanimously to approve the special-use permit with staff conditions.
