Sangamon Sun

Menard County Zoning Board of Appeals met June 7.

Here is the minutes provided by the Board:

Chairperson Tom Eldridge called the meeting to order and took the roll call with the following ZBA members in attendance: Karen Stott, Steve Wilken, Barry Bass, and Tom Eldridge. ZBA member Steve Ozella was absent. Zoning Administrator Brian Hollenkamp was in attendance and took the minutes.

Minutes from the February 6, 2018 meeting were presented for approval. ZBA member Wilken moved to approve the minutes, as presented. ZBA member Bass seconded the motion. The motion carried with four “ayes”, no “nays”, and one “absent”.

New Business:

Administrative Public Hearing: (Solar Ordinance)

Review And Siscussion Of The Proposed Menard County Solar Ordinance.

Chairperson Eldridge opened the public hearing at 7:02 p.m. to give consideration to the proposed Menard County Solar Ordinance. Discussion of the regulations occurred. ZBA member Bass stated that he did not think many people would know what a UL listing or SRCC rating were and that they should be defined within the ordinance. He also stated that the site plan requirements should include location of utilities, mines, and pipelines. It was pointed out that the administration and enforcement section did not match the penalties section. It was recommended that they match each other.

ZBA member Eldridge asked about the liability section of the ordinance. He stated that while the County is protecting itself, does it protect the citizens. Discussion ensued. It was stated that the entirety of the ordinance is there to try to protect the citizens.

As there were no other public comments, ZBA member Wilken moved to close the public hearing. ZBA member Bass seconded the motion. The motion carried with four “ayes”, no “nays”, and one “absent”.

After discussion, ZBA member Bass moved to recommend that the Board of Commissioners approve the Menard County Solar Ordinance with the following provisions:

1. Define UL listing and SRCC rating

2. Add utilities, mines, and pipelines to the list of requirements for site plans

3. Add “A separate and distinct offense shall be regarded as committed each day the violation remains uncorrected” to the Administration and Enforcement section

ZBA member Stott seconded the motion. The motion carried with four “ayes”, no “nays”, and one “absent”.

New Business:

Administrative Public Hearing: (Case number 18-01TA)

Application That Seeks A Text Amendment To Allow Commercial/ Large Scale Solar Farms In The Agricultural And Rural Residential Districts.

The public hearing was opened at 7:48 p.m. to give consideration to the text amendments that would allow commercial/large scale solar farms in the Agricultural and Rural Residential Zoning Districts. It was stated that these facilities are only allowed in these districts when meeting the regulations of the Menard County Solar Ordinance. The owner/developer must also receive a Special Use Permit.

As there were no other public comments, ZBA member Bass moved to close the public hearing. ZBA member Stott seconded the motion. The motion carried with four “ayes”, no “nays”, and one “absent”.

After discussion, ZBA member Wilken moved to recommend approval of the text amendment to the Board of Commissioners. ZBA member Bass seconded the motion. The motion carried with four “ayes”, no “nays”, and one “absent”.

Unscheduled Public Comments/Requests:

No additional public comments were made at the meeting.

Zoning Administrator’s Report:

There was no zoning administrator’s report

Individual ZBA Member Comments:

There were no ZBA member comments.

Adjournment:

As no other business was brought before the Zoning Board of Appeals, ZBA member Bass moved to adjourn the meeting at 7:58 p.m. ZBA member Stott seconded the motion. The motion carried with four “ayes”, no “nays”, and one “absent”.

http://menardcountyil.org/files/3115/3002/1440/ZBA_Minutes_06.07.2018.pdf