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Peoria County approves 5-megawatt Allen Solar community array despite Chillicothe objections
Summary
The Peoria County committee approved special-use CBA 20250005 to allow a 5 MW commercial (community) solar facility on a 34-acre parcel at East Sycamore Street, imposing seven conditions including a decommissioning plan and limiting the special use to Allen Solar LLC or affiliates; the measure passed 6-2.
Peoria County zoning committee members voted 6-2 to approve special-use zoning case CBA 20250005, permitting Allen Solar LLC to construct and operate a 5-megawatt AC commercial solar energy facility on a roughly 34-acre parcel on East Sycamore Street in Haug Township. The committee’s approval carries seven conditions, including a decommissioning plan consistent with the Illinois Department of Agriculture agricultural impact-mitigation agreement (AIMA) and a restriction that the special use is tied to Allen Solar LLC or its affiliates.
Why it matters: The approval replaces an earlier 2018 authorization for 4 megawatts on the same site with a single 5-megawatt project; company and staff said the consolidation responds to changed state incentive rules and allows more output on the same acreage. Neighbors and a Chillicothe representative argued the location is too close to residences and constrains future town growth.
Andrew, Peoria County planning staff, described the project as rows of single-axis tracker photovoltaic panels, perimeter fencing and ancillary electrical equipment and said the petitioner’s site plan respects the required 150-foot separation from dwellings on nonparticipating properties. He noted the facility would interconnect to Ameren and that the petitioner had submitted an executed agricultural impact mitigation agreement and a decommissioning plan as required by the County and Illinois Department of Agriculture standards.
Paul Makarowitz, a representative for AES Clean Energy and Allen Solar, stated the project is "still a community solar project" and explained the change from two smaller projects to a consolidated 5-megawatt facility was driven by Illinois incentive rules; he told the committee the electricity would be distributed into the Ameren local grid and that AES typically remains an owner‑operator of such projects.
Several members raised concerns about proximity to the city of Chillicothe and the potential effect on the town's future westward growth. Terry (county board member) said the project "doesn't seem to be terribly different except that it's in the wrong place" and stated he would vote against approval. Jimmy and others clarified that the site previously had a perpetual approval for 4 megawatts from 2018 and that approving the 5-megawatt special use would replace that authorization but would not add new acreage.
The motion to approve passed 6-2. The record shows one formal objection on file and a letter from the Hallett Township Road Commissioner listing conditions the developer must meet; the Zoning Board of Appeals had recommended approval 4-3. Planning staff added three new recommended restrictions (limiting transferability of the special use to Allen Solar LLC/affiliates, requiring that development commence within three years of approval, and annual contact information updates) in addition to standard permit and decommissioning requirements.
Ending: With the committee approval, the petitioner may pursue permits and begin the multi-phase construction timeline anticipated to start in the second half of 2025; the decision included conditions intended to address county enforcement and long-term responsibility for the solar facility.
