Committee approves decommissioning plan and road use agreement for 5-MW community solar project

The Champaign County Environment and Land Use Committee approved a decommissioning and site reclamation plan and accompanying township road-use agreement for a community photovoltaic project previously authorized in ordinance 2023-17. Staff told the committee the special use permit for the project was granted in 2023 and that the revised DSRP includes the stipulations the county requires; costs in the plan were reported to be comparable to other DSRPs. Staff also said the applicant had obtained approval from the Tuscola Township highway commissioner in Douglas County and had completed a road-use survey before applying for the township permit.

Committee members heard details that the proposal covers roughly 35.2 acres of a 90-acre tract and a “total nameplate capacity of 5 megawatts.” Staff identified the applicant as Champaign Solar 1 LLC, a subsidiary of Pivot Energy Development LLC, and referenced CEO Tom Hunt and agent Merrill Reed. The committee voted to approve the plan; staff will coordinate next steps with the county board as required by county procedures.