McHenry zoning board recommends conditional use for 4.99 MW community solar near Crystal Lake Road

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals voted 7–0 on Oct. 21 to recommend approval of a conditional use permit for a 4.99-megawatt commercial community solar facility proposed by TPE Illinois MH681 LLC for about 74 acres on the east side of South Crystal Lake Road, roughly one-quarter mile south of Mason Hill Road in Nunda Township.

The board’s positive recommendation follows presentations and evidence from the applicant, staff reports and public comment, and includes nine conditions attached to the recommendation and a requirement that the site development plan dated Oct. 21, 2025, govern construction.

The proposal calls for a ground-mounted array sited primarily away from nearby homes with vegetative screening and native “pollinator-friendly” plantings under and around the panels. The applicant described project benefits including local construction jobs, an estimated tax contribution over the project lifetime and subscriber savings through ComEd community-solar subscriptions.

Kyle Barry, an attorney with McGuireWoods representing the applicant, told the board the facility would have a total capacity of 4.99 megawatts. "I'm here today representing the applicant, which is seeking a conditional use permit for a 4.99 megawatt, commercial solar energy facility that falls into the category of a community solar facility," Barry said during the hearing.

Turning Point Energy (TPE) project developer Gloria Foxman described design choices intended…