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Zoning board and residents press developer to revise Saffron Solar plans near Pinckneyville neighborhoods
Summary
Zoning Board member Michael Kovic and area residents raised concerns at the Oct. 13 Pinckneyville City Council meeting about the Saffron Solar community project, asking for larger setbacks, higher privacy fencing (the board suggested up to 12 feet) and limitations on construction hours and inverter noise; the developer indicated it will revise its Special Use Permit application.
On Oct. 13, 2025, Zoning Board member Michael Kovic updated the Pinckneyville City Council and members of the public about the Saffron Solar community project, which proposes solar arrays adjacent to the Indian Trail and Imperial Heights subdivisions. Kovic said the Zoning Board found the developer's proposed setbacks and fencing inadequate for the site's rolling terrain and asked the company to revise its Special Use Permit request to better screen panels from backyards.
Kovic told the council the board and residents asked the developer to consider privacy fencing tall enough to conceal panel visibility—board members suggested up to 12 feet—and a larger setback between arrays and homes. He said the board also asked that the Special Use Permit specify allowable construction hours and limits on inverter noise. Kovic said the developer appeared receptive and held an open house that several residents attended on Oct. 9; he encouraged residents to submit written comments to Economic Development Coordinator and Zoning Administrator Carrie Gilliam for consideration during the permit review.
City Attorney Don Bigham said municipal authority is constrained by State of Illinois standards but noted the developer has an Ameren interconnection agreement in place. Bigham told the council the project estimates it will generate more than $800,000 in property taxes for taxing districts over the project's 40-year life. Fire Chief Curtis Miller asked how the property is zoned; Kovic said it is R1 Residential/Non-Urban.
Jeff Egbert of the Weekly Press asked whether the council's executive-session agenda item on employee appointment/discipline would properly include zoning board members; Bigham responded that the city treats zoning board members as city officers for purposes of the cited executive-session provision. Bigham also clarified the Oct. 9 meeting was an industry open house hosted by the developer, not a City-run event.
Next steps: The developer indicated it would revise its Special Use Permit materials in response to the Zoning Board and resident feedback; the formal permit review and any Zoning Board recommendation will follow the municipal review process and allow for appeals to the council under existing procedures.
