Anti-solar resolution approved

The Fairbury City Council unanimously approved a resolution opposing the new 31.7-acre solar farm being proposed adjacent to Fairbury city limits on the northwest side of town.

During the Public Comment portion of this week’s regular council meeting, Dale Maley voiced his opposition to the new solar farm. Mr. Maley said this project may technically be outside of the city limits, but it will directly affect Fairbury residents, Fairbury neighborhoods, property owners, and future growth. Mr. Maley said his research indicates that Illinois law recognizes that municipalities have extraterritorial planning jurisdiction extending 1.5 miles beyond city limits, because development directly bordering a city impacts that City.

Mr. Maley said that a project of this scale, placed only about 50 feet from the city boundary and 150 feet from residential homes, is incompatible with the long-term interests of Fairbury. He reported that Gibson City recently exercised local authority regarding a proposed solar project within 1.5 miles of its city limits. After Gibson City’s planning commission recommended denial of the permit, the developer withdrew the project. Mr. Maley requested that the Fairbury City Council investigate the Gibson City story and then utilize the same techniques to prevent the proposed Fairbury solar farm.

The annual Brian J. Munz scholarship awards were presented by Jim Munz. This year, four recipients received these scholarships.

Streets Superintendent Lonnie Rhoads reported that preparation work has begun on painting the two new basketball courts at Marsh Park. Once the preparation work is done, the concrete for the courts will be painted.

In addition to the solar farm resolution, the City Council reviewed and approved 10 other items. These included approving the purchase of a new Tahoe police vehicle, a new swimming pool vacuum, and a $1,500 donation to the Fairbury Fair. RTJ was the low bidder for some electrical work for the fire department. The City Council approved the issuance of 200 single-day pool passes for the Dominy Memorial Library summer reading program.

The City Council also approved a request for C.A.R.E. Charity to extend their event at North Park to September 18. They approved a street closure for Dave’s Pig-Out on June 9 and a request from the Odd Fellows to use the alley behind the Post Office to host a cruise-in on June 14. A request to allow alcohol use in Sunken Park was approved for the VFW Post during the Odd Fellow's Summer kick-off event from June 11 to June 14. A request from Orbit Training Academy to host their Pup-Pup Tent event at Marsh Park on June 7 was also approved.