DeWitt County Board approves Madison Street solar siting permit

The DeWitt County Board on Aug. 27 approved a siting permit for a commercial solar energy facility on approximately 33 acres northwest of the intersection of Revere Road and Hoover Road (parcel 12‑02‑300‑006), voting 7–2.

Board Chairman Witte opened the hearing, reviewed procedures and swore in project representatives. Zachary Farkes, project developer with ReWild Renewable, presented the site and said the project is largely the same as the Revere Road proposal; "the only unique difference with this project is that there are no residential homes around the project," he said. Engineers and the applicant's attorney were also sworn and available for cross-examination.

Opponents including Mark Cyrulik, Supervisor of Texas Township, and Elizabeth Burns questioned access and neighborhood impacts during the public-comment portion of the hearing. Applicants told the board the project will be accessed from Revere Road and not from Madison Street; they also said drainage work and good soils on the project land would be of benefit to neighboring properties. On technical questions about foundation sizing, applicants said exact rack‑post depths and other specifications will appear in the full building set and estimated the posts at about 10 feet.

Board member Werts asked whether a previously discussed $1.9 million tax revenue estimate applied to one project or multiple sites; the applicants said the $1.9 million estimate covered both the Madison Street and Revere Road projects combined and that they are not receiving USDA assistance. After discussion, Ferguson moved to approve the siting permit; Tilley seconded. The roll call vote was: Ferguson, Hammer, Prestegaard, Tilley, Walters, Werts and Witte in favor; Ryan and Carter opposed. The motion carried.

The motion record lists the applicant as Madison Street Solar LLC and the property owners as Marvin and Shelley Finfrock. The parcel is in Texas Township and zoned RD‑2. The board adjourned at 6:43 p.m.