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The past several months have shown the struggle between neighborhood concerns and the permittable uses of land
QUINCY–Adlerman Eric Entrup (R-Ward 1) announced a plan to avoid the neighborhood squabbles that have bubbled up recently over solar projects being shoehorned into properties with a special use permit.
It’s actually amending the existing city code, Chapter 162.030, to establish a special use permit with conditions for commercial solar energy properties in a RU-1 or rural zoning district.
He made a motion to send the amendment to the city’s plan commission, which was seconded and approved by the full council during Monday night’s weekly meeting.
Entrup has been working with city staff and fellow aldermen, Kelly Mays (R-Ward 4) and Laura McReynolds (R-Ward 5), for a couple of weeks on requirements to head off anticipated neighbor concerns.
“One was the distance between a solar-paneled occupied building,” Entrup said. “The other was increased landscaping. And then proximity to schools, which was a great idea that (Community Development Planner) David Adam came up with first. This is a mile radius around each school. This gives us a better way to plan out.”
Entrup says the protection around schools is especially important considering the taxpayer investment over the last several years into building new schools, and could encourage residential development, as opposed to industrial projects in those areas.
Earlier in the meeting, council members were split but ultimately approved ordinances for two solar projects proposed by Arena Cavern 1 Solar, LLC.
One is immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane, which is outside city limits, but near Ward 6. It had been zoned RU1, or rural.
The second is located immediately north of 2734 South 12th Street, at 2640 South 12th Street, and immediately west of 2640 South 12th Street. Again, outside city limits, but near Ward 6 and zoned as rural.
Alderman Richie Reis (D-Ward 6) moved for the following conditions, including:
The council approved the amendments, but the votes on the ordinance were as follows:
First Solar ordinance
An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Planned Development. (Construct and operate a 5.0 MWac Commercial Solar Energy Facility located immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane (Zoned RU1); immediately north of 2734 South 12th Street (Zoned RU1); at 2640 South 12th Street (Zoned RU1) and immediately west of 2640 South 12th.)
No votes:
Dave Bauer (D-Ward 2) abstained. Anthony Sassen (R-Ward 4) recused. Mike Adkins (R-Ward3) was absent.
The motion carried.
Second solar ordinance
An Ordinance Granting A Special Use Permit For A Planned Development (Construct and operate a 3.0 MWac Commercial Solar Energy Facility located immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane.)
According to City Planning Director Jason Parrott, he did not hear as many complaints about this portion of the project.
No votes:
Bauer abstained. Sassen recused. Adkins was absent.
The motion carried.
Ward 5 Solar Situation
Alderman McReynolds wanted to set the record straight, given the phone calls she has received and social media chatter.
The solar farm special-use permit request at 36th and Payson is back on the plan commission agenda for September 22.
This, after the city’s corporation counsel has received inquiries from lawyers representing the developer on clarification of the grounds by which the proposal was initially refused.
McReynolds also addressed concerns about the possibility of a solar farm at 36th and Harrison near Denman Elementary School. The company held an open house at a nearby park a couple of weeks ago, but Parrott said that no application has been submitted so far.
“If an application were to be submitted, it would through the standard plan commission process,” Parrott said. “This board would refer it to the plan commission, staff would review. At this point, we don’t even have an application.”
McReynolds, who attended the open house, had the impression that they are serious about the project and have had a lease agreement in place with the land owner dating back to 2023.
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Sunny. High 88F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.
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