Donato Solar proposes 4‑MW array, battery storage and small data center on Peace Road in DeKalb City

Nick Mahoney, representing Donato Solar, on Monday presented a concept plan to the DeKalb City Planning and Zoning Commission for a 4‑megawatt ground‑mounted solar field, on‑site battery storage and two small data‑center buildings on about 30 acres along the west side of Peace Road between Greenwood Acres Drive and Challenger Drive. The presenter said the site is contiguous to DeKalb City but outside city limits and would require annexation and rezoning.

The plan calls for photovoltaic arrays facing due south, a battery area of roughly 200 by 60 feet and two data‑center buildings Mahoney described as about 20 feet tall and roughly 60 feet long by 20 feet deep. “These are these are small. They’re modular. They don’t really make much noise at all. They’re air cooled,” Mahoney said, describing the data buildings as remotely operated with only routine maintenance visits.

City staff recommended the property’s future land‑use designation as industrial and said the applicant would likely seek rezoning to a Planned Development – Industrial (PDI) district if the project proceeds. “We recommend the comp plan as you see—they’re industrial for the site,” staff told the commission during the meeting. Because the parcel lies outside the city, Mahoney said…