The Knox County Board approved four more conditional use permits for solar farms at last night’s meeting.
These permits are part of the Illinois Adjustable Block Program, which is part of the bigger Future Energy Jobs Act.
A good portion of the discussion regarding the project was focused on a few areas: the impact to land, acquiring additional expert opinion, and the basis for denying permits.
Board member Dick Conklin made a point that he would like to see an outside entity give their input on each solar project. “ Part of that is the impact on the land itself,” Conklin said. “I guess there’s room for doubt that I would like to have addressed.”
In regards to the impact on the land, concerns were raised that nutrient-rich topsoil would be displaced by the building of the solar panels. In an effort to preserve the land, solar companies were installing vegetation under the panels. Board member Sara Varner informed the board that Cara Downing with the Soil and Water Conservation had told her that the planned vegetation would not hurt the soil.
Board member David Erickson says that the board must look at more than just if they meet the county’s requirements, “just because it meets the standard doesn’t necessarily mean you need to approve it.” He said that there were several other factors to consider, including concerns about the petitioner, impact to the local economy, and more.
In response, board member David Amor said that if the county doesn’t have grounds to deny a permit request and they do so, they could open themselves up to lawsuits. “My understanding is that if we voted no when something has gone through the process we would open ourselves up to litigation.”
Conklin abstained during the voting of all four permits. Two of the permits were approved with Erickson and Rick Sandoval voting against. The other two permits had no “nay” votes against it.
Two of these permits are for properties along Route 41, south of Galesburg. Another permit could see a solar farm go up on Grand Avenue while the fourth would be in rural Yates City.
These permits and all others the county has approved will be part of a state-run lottery to determine which ones get built.
