Solars farms near Monee, Crete OK’d over residents’ objections

The Will County Board voted Thursday to approve two solar farms near Crete and Monee as board members expressed frustration their hands are tied due to state laws that promote green energy but take away local control of zoning.

Turning Point Energy is proposing two solar facilities on agriculturally zoned land in unincorporated Will County.

A 4.99-megawatt commercial solar facility will be built on about 47 acres on South Will Center Road, about a half-mile north of Pauling Road in Monee Township, and a 4-megawatt commercial solar facility is planned for about 51 acres on Torrence Avenue just south of Steger Road in Crete Township.

The commercial solar facility in Monee Township is expected to generate energy to power the equivalent of 1,360 homes, while the facility in Crete Township will power the equivalent of 1,088 homes, county documents said.

Residents who live near the proposed solar farms objected to the proposals, which were both approved by a 12-10 vote.

Resident Korinne Pendergast said she is concerned about the health effects from solar panels and wondered whether they are safe. She questioned if damaged panels or batteries would end up in landfills.

“They haven’t done any studies because they haven’t had this many going up in residential areas,” she said. “I don’t believe any of you would want to live next door to one. These companies that are saying they’re safe, none of them live next door to one. I don’t believe they care about the residents who live here.”

She said 30 residents living near Torrence Avenue signed a petition objecting to the solar facility.

Jason Atwood said the solar facility would make it difficult for him to sell his home. He said that while the area is rural, there are families in nearby neighborhoods.

“Not only is it going to be an eyesore to our community, it’s going to cause our property values to go down,” Atwood said.

Ken Zelazo and his wife, Cathy, said their opposition cannot be overstated.

He said he believes the solar facilities go against the county’s ordinances that say special-use permits would not be detrimental or endanger the public’s health, safety and general welfare and comfort.

The roads cannot support the construction of a solar facility, he said.

Cathy Zelazo said it is unknown what impact the solar farm would have on the area’s ecology or wildlife. No stormwater drainage plan has been presented, she said.

“Current so-called green energy technology is in its infancy,” she said. “It is wrong and reckless to impose such drastic environmental changes on existing landowners and residents with little caution to ensure that our very lives or property will not be jeopardized. … Not one land owner or resident surrounding the proposed site has come forward to endorse the proposed commercial special use permit for this solar farm.”

Board Chair Judy Ogalla, a Republican from Monee, said she is frustrated the county is handcuffed by state regulations that permit solar farms without allowing the county board cannot control zoning.

A law that went into effect earlier this year sets statewide standards for wind and solar farm siting and says local ordinances cannot be more restrictive than the state standards.

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“Legislators need to hear us,” said Ogalla, who voted against both solar facilities. “It’s just wrong to take away local control. Springfield should not have taken away our authority. We should be the decision makers.”

Ogalla said that the term “solar farms” is misleading because these are energy-generating facilities that should be located in industrial areas.

Steve Balich, the Republican Leader from Homer Glen, said he plans to vote against each solar facility until the state law is changed.

Last month the county was considering a solar farm near Frankfort, but the Surya Powered pulled its application in the face of opposition.

Board members also asked if there are any loopholes in the state law so that they can take up each solar facility on a case-by-case basis.

“I’m generally in favor of solar energy. However, I do think that we should be able to retain some local control,” said board member Sherry Newquist, a Democrat from Steger. “Given that that’s not the case, I have been voting yes to be consistent with state law, but I would really encourage us to explore what wiggle room we have.”

Michelle Mullins is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.