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Council approves solar-array and data‑center special use, denies wireless tower permit
Summary
The council approved special‑use permits for a 10‑acre solar array and a data‑center/cryptocurrency facility brought by IAG Investments LLC, while separately adopting a denial of a proposed wireless tower use permit after the planning commission recommended denial.
The Effingham City Council approved a special‑use ordinance allowing IAG Investments LLC to locate a roughly 10‑acre solar energy system and a data‑center/cryptocurrency facility east of the former Mid America Corvette site.
Planning staff said the petition came before the planning commission on March 11 and was reconvened April 8 after additional information was provided; staff reported the planning commission "felt that they had met all the requirements" and recommended approval. The ordinance creating the special‑use permits passed on a council motion and second.
Separately, the council adopted an ordinance denying a tower‑use permit for a wireless communications facility proposed in Overlay District No. 2 for a site behind the Hardee’s on Fayette Avenue (applicants included PI Tower Development LLC and associated entities). Planning staff said the planning commission voted 5–1 to recommend denial because the petitioner did not adequately demonstrate that alternate District 1 or District 3 sites could not provide the required coverage.
Council members asked few substantive questions during either item and approved the planning commission recommendations by voice vote.
Next steps: staff will file the approved special‑use ordinance and the denial in the city records and update zoning maps and permit tracking as appropriate.
