water pipes that lead to health issues 60 years later and the same could be
applied to this proposal.
Simon Schrage explained his concern was about razing good farmland and
replacing it with a solar facility. He believed such fields should be placed on
industrial land, contaminated land, or land near expressways. He did work for a
solar installation business and he did not support three farms being torn up only
to be replaced by solar fields. He shared a law passed in France regarding solar
fields.
Ben Jacobi, attorney for the applicants, thanked the Board for their
consideration. He was joined by lead developer, Jeremy Price and land owner
Robert Matson who lived in the community. Mr. Jacobi explained the tax
benefits of solar fields. The lease was for 30-years and the land owner could
return it to farmland. Mr. Jacobi explained this project was introduced to the
Zoning Board on October 12, 2023 and the ZBA held no deliberations nor
findings of facts and moved the petition forward to the Development Committee
with a recommendation of denial. As a result, he said the petitioner made
adequate revisions to the plan for the Development Committee and the plan was
recommended for approval by the Development Committee. Mr. Jacobi was
surprised the ZBA denied the project because the plan was consistent with the
County's Zoning Ordinance and State statute. Neighborhood and school
outreach discussions were held and the updated site plan now accommodated
their requests. Mr. Jacobi reviewed the schools' adjustments to the new site
plan. If the site plan was adjusted, he stated the schools would not object it. The
county's health department had no concerns.
Lead developer, Jeremy Price, reviewed the changes to vegetation, signage,
and adjustments made to the site plan, noting some rows of solar panels would
be removed.
Robert Matson, owner of the site, explained his personal ties to Kane County.
He explained that solar panels are progressive and he would live about 1.25
miles from the proposed field. He agreed the site was a beautiful piece of
property. Should the solar facility not be approved, he offered to take bids on
his land.
Mr. Jacobi said he met with the Kane County Forest Preserve who asked that
the developer modify the seed mix that would go under and around the solar
panels. to maximize regional consistency. As for comments about property
value, Mr. Jacobi stated a colleague from CohnReznick (appraisal company)
shared that studies done over 18 states found that solar facilities did not have a
direct impact to property/land values.
Mr. Price returned and addressed the environmental impacts of the project,
sharing the positives to the environment and the nearby schools.
Board questions arose regarding whether the petition complied with the county's
code and state law, whether the school's concerns were addressed