Commission recommends approval of ~5 MW solar farm at Route 38 and John Huber Parkway

The DeKalb Planning and Zoning Commission on Nov. 3, 2025 recommended approval of the preliminary/final development plan and final plat for a ground-mounted solar energy system proposed at the southwest corner of Route 38 and John Huber Parkway.

Developer representatives from PureSky Energy described the project as a community solar installation just under 5 megawatts AC (just under 5.9 MW DC) on roughly 30 acres. The site plan shows north–south oriented panel arrays, an equipment pad housing inverters and transformers, combiner boxes, an access road and a perimeter 7-foot fixed fence. The company also proposed vegetative buffers with trees, shrubs and pollinator-friendly seed mixes for areas under and around the array to meet stormwater and erosion-stabilization goals.

Staff reminded the commission that the city council approved annexation and rezoning of the property to Planned Development Industrial (PDI) last year following the commission's earlier recommendation. Staff presented a final plat that reserves right-of-way and roadway easements for the planned future extension of John Huber Parkway; the plat includes a small triangular dedication for the township at the northwest intersection corner and a roadway easement that the county/township could later require the owner to vacate and negotiate compensation for if improvements proceed.

Commissioner McMahon moved that the commission recommend approval of the preliminary/final development plan and final plat per Exhibit A, subject to addressing staff comments before building permits are issued and the plat is recorded. The motion was seconded (Wright) and passed on roll call; the transcript records affirmative responses from the commissioners listed during the roll call segment and the chair announced the motion passes.

Staff recommended that all staff comments be addressed prior to issuance of building permits and recording of the final plat. The approval is a recommendation to city council regarding the plat and development plan; recording, permit issuance and any required agency approvals (including township or county actions on the reserved roadway easement) remain future steps.