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Committee moves 16‑acre landfill solar lease to council after staff briefing
Summary
The Committee of the Whole forwarded an ordinance authorizing a ground lease and access easement for a solar array at the Urbana Landfill Complex; staff said the leased area is 16 acres (correcting a drafting error) and council asked for clarifications about vegetation management, clay-cap protections and easement boundaries.
City staff presented Ordinance 2026-03-009 on March 16 to authorize a ground lease and easement allowing a developer to build, operate and decommission a solar array on the closed Urbana Landfill Complex.
Scott Tess said the earlier lease approved by council lacked an easement for developer access; the current draft corrects that and identifies a leased area of 16 acres (a drafting error in the memo previously showed 15.5 acres). He said the lessee will pay $1,632 per acre annually with a 2% annual increase. The lease also includes landlord inspection rights (landlord may inspect during normal business hours with 72 hours’ notice).
Councilmember Chandra Grace asked for written clarifications on vegetation management, the city’s ability to remove growth that might puncture the landfill clay cap, and the easement footprint. Tess said the easement follows an existing maintenance road and is meant to allow construction and long‑term maintenance access; he agreed to follow up with staff on specific contract language and verification of inspection/maintenance rights. The committee voted to move the ordinance to the City Council regular agenda.
