Plan commission recommends approval of two CubeSmart rooftop community-solar projects with conditions

The Wheeling Plan Commission on April 22 recommended approval of multiple zoning variations and site plans for two rooftop community-solar projects on CubeSmart properties at 1004 and 1042 South Milwaukee Avenue.

Staff presented the dockets and the recommended conditions, noting that some requests (front-yard setbacks and 40-foot utility-pole exemptions) require coordination with utility providers and federal/airport reviews. The proposals are rooftop community-solar arrays that would feed energy to the grid under Illinois's Illinois Shines community-solar program.

Representatives from Solar Landscape and their consultants described the projects: the 1004 site is a roughly 400 kW array (estimated to power about 84 homes) and the 1042 site a roughly 600 kW array (about 129 homes). Emily McHugh, pre-construction manager, noted the arrays are roof-mounted with panels rising about 10 inches above the roofline and that the projects have passed structural review and have interconnection steps underway with the local utility. "We build on existing rooftops that would otherwise go unused," McHugh said, adding the accepted projects include a guaranteed 10% subscriber discount under Illinois Shines.

Engineers explained several ground- and pole-mounted pieces of equipment are required for interconnection and safety clearances; ComEd (utility) sitewalks were conducted, and the petitioner proposed screening for pad-mounted equipment and landscaping to reduce visual impact. Commission members probed alternatives such as undergrounding spans and shifting transformer feeds; the team said many elements were constrained by code clearances and utility requirements, and that some components must be pole-mounted per NEC and ComEd standards.

After questions, the commission voted to approve the requested sideyard and front-yard variance(s), grant exemptions to allow 40-foot utility poles where necessary, and approve the related minor site-plan and appearance applications for both addresses, subject to the conditions read into the record (FAA Form 7460/airport sign-off, floodplain permit where applicable, IDOT authorization for right-of-way pole work, aviation marking/lighting if required, coordination with utilities, and required landscaping/financial guarantees).

Next steps: The commission remanded the variation dockets to the Village Board for final action on May 13; approvals are contingent on securing required agency approvals and permits.