ZBA vote was 4-0-1 plus 2 absences
By Randy Pierce • Without a single vote of support and amid objections from residents, the Madison County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) on April 28, voted against the issuance of a special-use permit that would allow for the development of a five-megawatt (MW) commercial solar energy facility at 2951 Old Troy Road in unincorporated Glen Carbon.
The location is south of the Savannah Crossing Subdivision and south of the intersection of Madison County Transit’s Glen Carbon Heritage and Goshen trails.
The permit request from Trentino Solar LLC of Lafayette, Louisiana on behalf of the Lorraine M. Keller Trust, required per county zoning regulations for the agriculture zoned district, was next to be considered by the county board building and zoning committee, scheduled to meet on May 5, before advancing to the full county board on May 20, for a final decision unless it is held up for some reason.
Chairman Sharon Sherrill voted against the proposal along with George Ellis, Mary Goode and Joe Pattan while Bruce Riedle abstained with Don Metzler and Curtis Stephens absent from the meeting.
Jen Hurley, the county’s zoning coordinator, explained that the proposal meets requirements for a project like this including a minimum of 150 feet for setbacks, a perimeter fence of at least six feet in height and masking.
She additionally referenced five letters of opposition, four of them consisting of the same basic wording concerning the sentiments of residents in that area including Jason and Amanda Gillihan of 2947 Old Troy Road, Adam and Ashleigh Rockwell of 2949 Old Troy Road, Joan Lingle of 42 Leon Drive and Robert and Angela Henshaw of 141 Oaklawn Drive.
That letter alleges that the applicants failed “to unequivocally demonstrate significant economic and energy benefits to Madison County, while lending significant concerns to how it will affect the comfort and convenience of the public and surrounding neighborhood.”
Yet another letter from the Henshaws shared by Hurley said the couple, who own property adjacent to the proposed solar facility site, expressed that they are worried about water runoff there and downstream impacts.
The 95-acre property considered for this “isn’t just a field, it’s the starting point for a 14-mile creek (Judys Branch Creek) system our entire community relies on for drainage,” the Henshaw correspondence stated.
Their description said the “rolling farmland acts as a giant sponge” which would be negatively impacted by the Trentino (and Ironwood Renewables) installation of 467 solar arrays, metal posts and presumed concrete footings while heavy machinery used during the construction would pack down the soil, making it tighter and less capable of water absorption.
They further alleged rainwater would not soak into the ground when running off the panels and lead to a high quantity of water heading into nearby creeks and streams plus Horseshoe Lake, causing the banks to erode and crumble while additionally citing the potential for disruption of the ecosystem supporting wildlife and natural growth.
Darrel Keller, a trustee connected with the property ownership, wrote that the group he is part of feels the project is “a responsible and beneficial use of the land” in that it represents low impact while preserving open space and avoiding dense residential or commercial development that could generate more traffic, noise and deterioration of infrastructure such as roads.
Along with stating the project, which would be northeast of Judys Branch Creek, will lead to less intensive outcomes than other possible uses, Keller cited its representatives’ professionalism, transparency and level of respect while calling attention to what he feels is the benefits of increased tax revenue and responsible energy development for the county.
Among those present at the ZBA hearing who spoke about the project was Glen Carbon Mayor Bob Marcus who said the project fails to comply with the comprehensive plan for the area where it will be located and will have a negative impact.
An attorney representing the development team, Seth Uphoff, who had spoken earlier, asked to “cross-examine” Marcus but was not allowed to by Chairman Sherrill, because he had an opportunity to speak earlier, then requested that the meeting record reflect this.
James Craney, who said he owns adjoining property, said the project is being misrepresented in that it will not benefit neighbors but instead lead to the selling of shares to any Ameren customer who will then get a utility bill reduction.
Another adjoining property owner, Anna Slattery, referenced what she said was the Interstate 55 Corridor Plan which this project fails to comply with, remarked that residential use could generate more tax income and expressed concern regarding the bike trail in this area.
Next, Alan Black, who lives nearby, offered support to the other statements of opposition and said the project will only benefit a “select few” outside of the landowner and solar company.
He went on to cite issues with historical artifacts on the site, anticipated drainage problems, resultant property value reductions plus animals and plants that could be negatively affected.
The loss of farmable acreage in the county was brought up by Randy Lingle Jr., whose family owns property to the south, while he also stated he was under the impression, among his other concerns, future development of any kind around the MCT bike trails there was prohibited.
Michael Keith, a civil engineer from a firm named Atwell, located in Naperville near Chicago, told the ZBA that the project plans comply with the county’s stormwater management regulations and that construction would begin next spring and take between nine and 12 months.
Hurley pointed out that the applicant interests had submitted communications from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the United States Department of the Interior Fish and Wildlife Service regarding the potential impact on wildlife habitat and living animal species in the vicinity of the proposed project.
Written information provided by Keith Morel on behalf of the Trentino/Ironwood LLCs, noting this team has 35 years of experience developing such projects, including 10 to 15 projected in Illinois, explained the facility’s fenced area would total 27 acres of the 95+ of the entire parcel and that this location was chosen on the basis of the need for electricity in the local vicinity, its proximity to relevant connections, accessibility from nearby roads, characteristics of the land, interest of the property owner and the existing zoning.
Morel’s letter also stressed that compared to the $2,615 (in 2024) generated by the property in tax revenue, the site would produce $26,903 during its first year, providing support to entities such as local school districts along with powering 1,150 single-family homes with an expected annual output of 11.4 million kilowatt hours, saving Ameren customers 20% on their bills.
Still other positives mentioned by Morel were jobs; an estimated 24 positions during construction and those for ongoing maintenance upon completion plus the increased customer traffic for local business that would result.
Uphoff, when granted a chance for rebuttal by Sherrill after all the other comments were taken, said all the required environmental studies completed reflect the required standards being met and that the solar panels would be hidden from the general view of the public behind (west of ) the Goshen Trail. Also, in response to concerns about toxins, he said that the panels would contain only race amounts of certain metals and lead-free solder.
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