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Updated: July 29, 2026 @ 4:12 am
Two more solar facility proposals came before the Quincy Planning Commission on Tuesday night, but unlike previous projects, these plans drew significantly more opposition from nearby residents.
The city has recently begun directing solar companies to locate facilities in industrial zones outside city limits to reduce conflicts with neighboring homes and businesses. However, commissioners approved a special use permit for a controversial project in an area zoned for agriculture during a meeting Tuesday night.
The Planning Commission approved a special use permit for proposed 3-megawatt and 5-megawatt solar facilities north of Nieders Lane.
The petitioner, Arena Cavern Solar of Chicago, plans to build the facilities above the JM Huber caves, where mining operations take place.
Quincy Planning and Development Director Jason Parrott said the company held an open house earlier this year to address concerns raised by residents.
“One of the changes they made when they initially had the project, the solar panels were going to be about 150 feet away from some of these homes. Now they’re going to be about 350 feet away. So they have adapted some of their opportunities to provide a better product for neighbors,” Parrott said.
The company said the ground surface is approximately 125 feet above the top of the mine.
Petitioners also said they do not currently have any solar facilities in operation but are preparing to open several projects, according to a company spokesperson.
Residents voiced concerns about the proposed facilities, including potential noise, the loss of greenery and possible impacts on the underground mine structure.
“They start piledriving 5 to 8 foot in the ground, let’s see how many 40 acres, I don’t know how many acres these things go for an acre of ground, they’re going to be doing a lot of structural stressing on the ground, and we worry what that’s going to do to the overall structure,” said Steven Eckert, a resident near the proposed farm.
Residents also referenced a cave-in on Nieders Lane that occurred years ago, something Arena Cavern Solar officials said they were not aware of.
Company officials also said they do not yet have a formal agreement with JM Huber to build the facilities, but are working toward one.
The special use permit will now go before the Quincy City Council for consideration. If approved, the project could then move forward with the site plan review and other required approvals.
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