McHenry County zoning board approves 2 MW Arena/Topaz community solar project with amended site-plan date and conditions
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Summary
Arena/Topaz Solar LLC's request for a conditional use permit for a 2-megawatt commercial solar facility (Z25-0083) was approved 7-0 by the McHenry County Zoning Board after the board amended condition 2 to adopt the November site plan and approved decommissioning, seed-mix and subscriber provisions.
The McHenry County Zoning Board voted unanimously to approve a conditional use permit for Arena/Topaz Solar LLC (petition Z25-0083), clearing a roughly 80-acre site near West Gracie Road for a 2-megawatt community-scale solar facility, the applicant said.
Sean Hickey, a licensed professional engineer presenting for the applicant, described the project as "a 2 megawatt facility, solar only, no battery energy storage," with no floodplain impacts or tree clearing proposed. Hickey said the project will use pollinator-friendly vegetative seed mixes, include a decommissioning plan that requires removal of panels and piles to 5 feet, and be secured with a decommissioning bond at building permit submittal. He told the board the project is expected to produce tax revenue over its life (applicant estimated about $360,000) and approximately $150,000 in sales-tax-related construction revenue, and that locally eligible subscribers would receive a 10% discount on energy costs over the project's life.
Board members raised technical questions about wetlands delineation, varying seed mixes for different soil types, setbacks from nearby residences and coordination with a neighboring New Leaf Solar project. Staff confirmed use of the November site plan for conditions and reported that state and county standards appear to have been met. A member of the public or environmental group had submitted a letter raising wetland questions; the applicant said delineations were completed and that specific seed mixes would be tailored by landscape professionals.
Before approving the application, the board amended condition 2 to reference the November 4, 2025 site plan. The amendment was moved and approved 7-0. The board then approved the conditions as amended and the conditional use permit itself by unanimous roll call. The presiding member stated the approval will advance to the county board for further action, and Dec. 16 was mentioned as a likely county-board date.
The board recorded a 7-0 vote to approve the petition. No public commenters spoke during the meeting segment recorded in the transcript.