McHenry County appeals board recommends rezoning and unanimously approves conditional use for proposed 5-MW Coral Township solar farm

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals voted to recommend reclassifying roughly 92 acres in Coral Township from E‑1 estate to A‑1 agricultural and unanimously approved a conditional‑use permit to allow a commercial solar energy facility proposed by Green Solar 9 LLC.

The vote on the map amendment was 5–2 in favor; the board approved the conditional‑use permit 7–0. Chair (name not provided in the transcript) said the board will forward both recommendations to the county board, which is scheduled to consider the items on April 21.

The petitioner, represented by Scott Trebicky of Clark Dietz, told the board the site would host roughly a 30‑acre array that would generate about 5 megawatts of electricity. "It would generate about 5 megawatts of energy," Trebicky said, and he emphasized that the project would increase assessed value and tax revenue for local taxing bodies, citing a 20‑acre example parcel where assessed value rose substantially after solar development.

Petitioners said the plan includes an 8‑foot woven‑wire perimeter fence, vegetative screening along property…