Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Renewable Energy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Will County approves a slate of commercial solar permits with new conditions on interconnection and screening
Summary
The Will County Planning & Zoning Commission approved multiple commercial and community solar special‑use permits April 21 — including projects presented by One Energy and Nexamp — and added conditions requiring underground on‑site utility connections except where necessary to tie to existing overhead lines, plus screening and wildlife‑friendly fencing.
The Will County Planning & Zoning Commission voted April 21 to approve several commercial/community solar special‑use permits, moving forward multiple projects proposed by One Energy and Nexamp while adding conditions on interconnection methods and landscape screening.
Projects approved included a roughly 2 MW One Energy project in Troy Township (ZC2142) and a set of community solar projects on larger parcels presented by Nexamp (Mon Sun 1 and Mon Sun 2), along with at least two other 2 MW community solar proposals presented later in the meeting. Presentations covered site plans, interconnection status, noise and glare studies, ecological reviews (NRI/EcoAT), and an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AMA) and decommissioning security that are part of the state and county permitting sequence.
Commissioners pressed developers and staff on several recurring issues: whether on‑site utility connections must be placed underground or may use above‑ground riser poles (applicants said COMED sometimes requires poles for certain interconnection layouts), the adequacy of vegetative screening for nearby residents, pollinator seed mixes and management (including requests for reduced mowing frequency or managed grazing), and the adequacy of decommissioning bonds and how they will be updated over time.
After extended discussion, the commission added at least two conditions to one multi‑site application: (1) require on‑site power lines and utility connections to be placed underground except where necessary to connect to existing overhead utility lines (the commission limited above‑ground riser poles in scope), and (2) require landscape screening along identified road frontages or fence lines (staff will finalize species mix and diversity requirements at permitting). Commissioners also asked staff to include a 6‑inch critter gap at fence bases where recommended by EcoAT, and to require applicants to submit final interconnection documentation at the time of permitting.
Votes on the several projects were taken by roll call; many passed with 5–1 tallies where one commissioner voted no, usually over screening or other local concerns. Developers committed to submit final operations & maintenance plans, interconnection agreements, communications with road districts for access permits, and conservation plans with the soil and water district as part of the building‑permit stage.
