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LaSalle County approves two 5 MW solar special-use permits with vegetative screening and conditions
Summary
The county board granted special-use permits to two applicants (CSG 1 LLC and CSG 2 LLC) for adjacent 5 MW commercial solar facilities near 1594 N 26 50th Road, approving conditions on vegetative management, signage, and state/local recommendations.
LaSalle County Board on Feb. 5 approved two special-use permits to allow 5 megawatt commercial solar energy facilities near 1594 North 26 50th Road in South Ottawa Township.
The first measure, Special Use 26-01, allows First State Bank Trust No. 401 and applicant South Ottawa CSG 1 LLC to install a 5 MW facility (PIN 22-23-320-000). The LaSalle County Zoning Board of Appeals recommended unanimous approval with six conditions, including adherence to Illinois Department of Natural Resources and LaSalle County Soil and Water Conservation District recommendations, required signage with maintenance contact numbers, vegetative maintenance and weed control during construction, and vegetative screening to block views from the southwest. The board approved the special use on roll call (reported 15 ayes, 6 nays, 2 present).
The board then approved Special Use 26-02 for Trust No. 1075 (Paul Martin, trustee) and South Ottawa CSG 2 LLC for a geographically adjacent 5 MW facility (PIN 22-22-429-000). The zoning board again recommended approval with similar conditions and a requirement that northern screening extend to the southwest corner of an Ameren-owned parcel (parcel 2222402000). The board approved the second special use by roll call (reported 15 ayes, 7 nays, 1 present).
Board members asked about fencing; county staff said the developers plan woven-wire “farm-style” fencing with wooden posts rather than chain-link, for aesthetic reasons. The LISA land-evaluation score of 218 was cited during discussion. Members also asked staff to provide, after the meeting, an acreage total for land converted to solar, which staff offered to calculate and distribute.
Both permits include the stated conditions from the zoning board; construction and final permitting will proceed according to the county’s permitting process and state rules for solar facilities.
