Will County Gazette

Village of New Lenox Plan Commission met May 6.

Here are the minutes provided by the commission:

CALL TO ORDER

A regular meeting of the Village of New Lenox Plan Commission was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairman Mark Muehlnickel.

Mr. Muehlnickel led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.

ROLL CALL

Upon roll call, the following were present: Chairman Mark Muehlnickel, Commissioners, Matthew Blackburn, Theresa Berkey, Jason Raidbard, Becky Dalseth and Kevin Wheeler.

The following was absent: None.

Chairman Muehlnickel announced there was a quorum present for this meeting.

Also in attendance were Assistant Village Administrator Robin Ellis, Senior Planner Jeff Smith, Planner Jenni Neubauer and Senior Administrative Secretary Lisa Martin.

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF MINUTES OF A REGULAR PLAN COMMISSION MEETING OF MARCH 18, 2025

A motion was made by Ms. Berkey and seconded by Mr. Blackburn to approve the March 18, 2025 minutes with Mr. Wheeler abstaining. Voice vote was taken. Motion carried.

REQUEST FOR APPROVAL OF A SPECIAL USE FOR A ROOFTOP COMMERCIAL SOLAR ENGERY FACILITY

(Public Hearing)

2250 Berens Drive

Approximate 63-acre site located at 2250 Berens Drive

Cale Skagen – New Lenox CSG 1 LLC – Petitioner

Chairman Muehlnickel described the public hearing process to those in attendance. The recording secretary swore in those intending to speak.

Chairman Muehlnickel asked if proof of notice had been received, and Staff replied affirmatively.

Mr. Muehlnickel asked for a motion to open the public hearing. A motion was made by Ms. Dalseth and seconded by Mr. Wheeler to open the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. Voice vote was taken. Motion carried.

Mr. Skagen of Dimension Energy advised that they were requesting a Special Use Permit for a 5- megawatt roof mounted solar project to be located on the roof of 2250 Berens Drive. He advised that the property is zoned industrial and would be supported in the Zoning Ordinance for commercial solar. He advised that the project would deliver clean energy, which is locally produced and give tax revenue and energy cost savings. He noted that all of the panels would be located on the rooftop and would be installed 10 feet from the edge of the roof. The panels would not be visible from the ground level, nor would glare from the rays. He said that the project would be accessed through the secured entrance to the north, and other than occasional maintenance, it would be unmanned once the project is operational.

He said that over a 15-year period, the Village and Township would get a tax revenue of approximately $385,000.00, which would be separate from the benefits that the residents would receive.

He said the site layout would meet or exceed the required setbacks by being located approximately 250 feet from the road. There will also be a locking knox-box for the Fire Department. He advised that there would be no permanent lighting for the equipment, and added that noise study concluded no audible sound at all.

He said that an application was submitted to ComEd to study the project to make sure that the local grid could support the connection. He commented that they were still determining where the interconnection point would be so they had yet to sign an Interconnection Agreement. He said that any conduit running off of the roof would be buried underground, so there would not be any poles installed.

He went over the preconstruction schedule and said that ideally the project would be completed mid to next year.

He was joined by John Gross and Charlotte Parker.

Ms. Charlotte Parker explained some benefits of the community solar and discussed how the electric from the solar would be delivered to ComEd. She stated that solar credits would be given in return through different state incentive programs, and that local customers that sign up would receive a share of the solar credits on their normal utility bill. If approved, the project would be a part of the Illinois Shines Program, and would be a part of the community driven, community solar block which would give additional extensive local benefits to the Township and Village.

Mr. Gross explained that the majority of the area was zoned I-1, with residential on the east side of Gougar Road. He said there would be no architectural impact and also commented that a glare study determined no impact to passing vehicular traffic or aviation. The noise study would not exceed any of the thresholds provided by the Illinois Pollution Control Board.

Mr. Smith confirmed that the project would require a Special Use for a rooftop commercial solar facility with benefits to the Village and Township. Staff also commented that due to the project being located on a rooftop, land elsewhere would not have to be purchased or leased which would allow the land to be utilized for development recommended by the Comprehensive Plan.

He displayed the site plan and described the rooftop as being 27 acres. He said the project would be constructed on the east side of the rooftop, would consist of approximately 12 acres, and could provide power to up to 1,000 homes. He said the project should take approximately 6 months to complete with the busiest time between the 2nd and 5th month when there could be 30 to 40 vehicles coming to the site per day using the curb cut on Gougar Road. He said the project would have to meet all fire code and safety access requirements. The Fire District did not have concerns with access to the rooftop, but expressed interest in the training staff with Dimension. They also requested the emergency fire shutoff in the fire sprinkler room.

Staff requested a screening plan for the two pads that will be installed on the ground for the electrical equipment storage, as well as details on how the storage box would be locked.

He said typically the rooftop solar systems have a lifetime of 20 to 30 years, so a decommissioning plan was submitted to show the roof would be restored to the original condition. Also, surety will need to be provided to ensure the implementation of the decommissioning plan.

Mr. Smith said once a Special Use permit is granted, it is valid for 6 months, but the Village Board could approve a one-time extension of 6 months, should they need it if the project does not commence until mid to late 2026.

Overall, subject to the 7 conditions in Staff Report, Staff did recommend approval of the Special Use for a rooftop commercial solar energy facility for 2250 Berens Drive, and requested Plan Commission recommendation.

Mr. Muehlnickel asked if the panels were flat or if they rotated.

Mr. Skagen replied that they would be installed at a fixed pitch and would not rotate.

Mr. Muehlnickel inquired if they would have to come back for another Special Use should they decide to extend the solar project.

Mr. Smith said if the project was removed and/or discontinued for 12 months, they would have to come back, but if they maintained it and decided to keep it, the Special Use would still be valid.

Ms. Dalseth asked if the project is decommissioned and then later it is decided to put another project up, would the process start over.

Ms. Ellis answered that the Village Code stated that if the project was discontinued for a year or more, it would require another Special Use.

Mr. Wheeler commented that as of now poles are not needed in the plan, but should something change, what would be used.

Mr. Skagen said that the recloser, transformer and switch would be pad mounted because everything is underground. He added that should ComEd decide to go overhead, the plan would not match what was submitted so they would have to resubmit a new plan.

Mr. Raidbard wanted to know how many projects they have done like this, and also asked about the pitching.

Mr. Skagen said that they are doing a number of ground mounted projects in Illinois, but this is the first roof mounted project in Illinois. He disclosed that they have completed about 10 to 15 roof mounted projects, and have more in development, but have done approximately 30 or more ground mounted. The panels are pitched 10 degrees but the tilt is fixed in a sawtooth type design.

Mr. Wheeler asked what could be seen from the houses across the street.

Mr. Skagen said it should not be visible at all.

Mr. Muehlnickel commented that this is a great concept and wondered if there would be more to come.

Mr. Skagen advised that the problem is the constraint on grid capacity.

Thea and Chris Drikos of 1691 Cobb Street asked if there was anything hazardous to worry about and asked what kind of noise level to expect.

Mr. Skagen said there is no hazardous material or waste, and there is a cooling fan when the solar panels are producing. He said they are very quiet and should not be heard.

Mr. Drikos asked how they came to the decision to put the equipment on the east side.

Mr. Skagen replied that everything should be as close as possible to the interconnection point for the construction to be feasible.

Ms. Drikos asked if it could hurt property values.

Mr. Skagen answered that it would not.

Mr. Muehlnickel requested a motion to close the public hearing. Motion was made by Mr. Raidbard and seconded by Ms. Berkey to close the public hearing at 7:45 p.m.

Mr. Muehlnickel requested a motion recommending approval of the Special Use to allow for a rooftop commercial solar energy facility at 2250 Berens Drive, subject to the 7 conditions mentioned in Staff’s Report.

Motion was made by Mr. Wheeler and seconded by Ms. Berkey.

Upon Roll Call, the vote was:

AYES: - Commissioners Dalseth, Wheeler, Blackburn, Berkey, Raidbard and Chairman Muehlnickel

NAYS: - None.

Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Mr. Smith welcomed the new Plan Commissioner, Kevin Wheeler, and advised that the meeting of May 20th would have a few public hearings.

Mr. Muehlnickel said that with Mr. Hawkins retiring, he would like to make a motion nominating Theresa Berkey to be Vice-Chairman of the Plan Commission. Motion made by Mr. Raidbard and seconded Ms. Dalseth.

ADJOURNMENT

There being no further business to come before the Plan Commission, a motion was made by Mr. Blackburn and seconded by Ms. Dalseth to adjourn. Voice vote was taken. Motion carried.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:48 p.m.

https://www.newlenox.net/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Minutes/_05062025-423