Solar proposal brings out crowd
- Fairbury News staff
- 3 hours ago
- 2 min read
A capacity crowd attended an informational open house Thursday at Dominy Library for a proposed solar farm near the northwest corner of Fairbury.
Sol Source Power is seeking a special use permit for Indian Grove Solar 1, LLC, at a location along the 500 block of north Calhoun Street in a nearby farm field. The project parcel is 32 acres with fenced acreage of 24.67 acres, according to information provided by the company.
Many community members in attendance expressed concerns over the potential project being so close to residential homes on the city’s edge. Questions were raised over the close proximity to a subdivision and the impact on future expansion of the city.
Local resident John Slagel stood outside in front of the library protesting against the solar proposal.
“It’s right across from a bunch of houses,” Slagel said. “This an area the city could expand – we don’t have enough room to expand in the future.”
Slagel argues it is one of the few directions the city could grow since new development is already underway to the northeast and north with the school and nursing home projects.
The Fairbury City Council just approved a unanimous resolution opposing the solar farm the night before. One council member was absent.
“This was just a way for the city to notify the county, the Zoning Board, that we are against it as a whole community as opposed to me just sending them a letter personally saying the mayor is against it,” Mayor David Slagel explained.
Margaret A.L. Blum of Sol Source Power and environmental and engineering consultant Matt Clementi with Stantec presented information on the proposal. Plans call for planting native prairie grass that is pollinator friendly which would absorb water.
The company described very little glare from the sun and decommissioning plans were reviewed. The lifespan is a minimum of 25 years with optional five-year extensions. Clementi said everything installed for the project goes away at the end. Panels are made from silicon glass and aluminum mainly.
Company representatives chose not to comment to the media following the open house.
The issue is expected to go before the county’s Zoning Board of Appeals at least 90 days from now but will likely be in September. Once those hearings are complete with testimony given, the Livingston County Board will consider the matter.
