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Council advances solar lease and access easement for Urbana landfill, correcting acreage and preserving city inspection rights
Summary
Council voted to forward an amended lease and easement enabling a solar array on the Urbana landfill complex (corrected to 16 acres), with staff saying the lease preserves landlord inspection rights and includes protections for the landfill cap.
City staff told the Committee of the Whole on March 16 that a previously approved solar lease for the closed Urbana landfill lacked an easement needed for developer access. The current ordinance (2026-03-00009) adds that access easement, corrects a drafting error so the leased area is reflected as 16 acres, and updates minor contract terms.
Scott Tess explained the easement runs along an existing east–west access road from the leased area to the property exit and is intended to give the developer construction and ongoing maintenance access without enclosing the access road within the leasehold. Tess said the tenant’s lease rate is $1,632 per acre annually (with a 2% annual increase) and that the lessee will pay property taxes on the installed facility once active.
Council Member Grace asked for confirmation that the city retains rights to enter leased property to inspect and to protect the landfill cap. Tess and staff pointed to the lease’s landlord-inspection clause (section 4.3) and said the city will preserve the ability to monitor and maintain the landfill-capping system; staff committed to clarify any remaining language and return final edits before the council vote.
The ordinance was forwarded to the regular council agenda by voice vote.
Why this matters: The proposal repurposes otherwise hard-to-develop landfill land for renewable energy, generates annual lease revenue, puts the array on the tax rolls, and includes community-solar subscription potential for residents. The city also must protect landfill cap integrity and preserve access for environmental monitoring.
What’s next: Staff will correct minor drafting items (acres, wording), confirm the city’s explicit maintenance and access rights, and place the ordinance on the next council meeting for final vote.
