Sangamon Sun

Logan County Planning & Zoning Board met Sept. 7.

Here are the minutes provided by the board:

Present: Dr. Hepler, Mrs. Welch, Mr. Leesman, Mrs. Davenport

Absent: Mr. Nelson

Guests Tom Sowers, Scott Schaffenacker, Alec Messina, Jean and Rod Hall, Charlie, Scott Johnston, Greg with broadband

Staff: Beth Davis- Kavelman,

Dr. Hepler called the meeting to order at 5:34 pm.

Approval of minutes: A motion was made by Mrs. Welch, seconded by Mr. Leesman, to approve the August 3, 2022, minutes. Motion carried.

OLD BUSINESS:

1) AG Land FS .Dr. Hepler has nothing to report. Keeps on Agenda because they do have a few upcoming proposed projects.

2) Top Hat Wind Farm- Dr. Hepler says to be proper this should be sent out to the ZBA. Mrs. Davenport makes a motion to advance Top Hat to the ZBA seconded by Mr. Leesman. Motion Carries

3) Trajectory- Kiersten Sheets appears before the committee to update the members on the status of Community Solar in Logan County. Stovepipe (community driven) partnered with CAPCIL. Mrs. Sheets went through the findings of fact from ZBA there are 3 issues, The first stating that they have not met with Lincoln Park District. Mrs. Sheets states she met with Lincoln Park District, and they are in support of the solar farm project. Mrs. Sheets addresses point 2 conditional use agreement, so the Board will be asking for an amendment moving the interconnection equipment. The landowners provided a letter in support of the project given the changes made by Trajectory. The 3rd addressing road use agreement and decommissioning plan, compliance with AMA. Mrs. Sheets presents the finding of fact aka Redbird Solar, this project is near the airport on Rt 10 the first concern was the airport. Mrs. Sheets met with the manager of the airport and Mr. Wessbecher, Mrs. Sheets shared other airports that have solar farms on or nearby. She addresses the 7460 report that the airport cited. She explains why that is not needed, but Trajectory would be happy to file that with the airport manager. The airport also asked about glare reports, Mrs. Sheets refers to the county board’s solar ordinance that does not require but again Trajectory would be happy to conduct that study. Mrs. Sheet states that the airport manager is never going to be in support of this project, and stated that to Mrs. Sheets, however they did agree that this solar project will in no way impede the ability of the airport to function as an airport. The 2nd issue was with a homeowner – The homeowner states that Trajectory has been very accommodating and honest. They have been wonderful to work with. The homeowner states that in 2009 the airport had a large open ditch, in 2009 the federal government wouldn’t allow the ditch. The airport closed the ditch with a federal grant. They did get an easement from the neighbor, but they just buried the pipe then stopped it which left a big open ditch behind the homeowner’s property, they were flooded out. They have had water in their crawlspace. They have met with state, county, township, and even federal officials who have made 20-year plans to how this situation would be corrected, and it is still not fixed. The homeowner still gets flooded. The water flows down to property owned by Queensberry’s. They brought property with the intentions of keeping the ditch cleared they found out the airport owned the ditch. Mr. Quisenberry plowed up the waterway. The drainage issue started well before this project came along. Trajectory has been very accommodating. They offered rebuild the water way. The homeowner is concerned that he would be looking at a solar farm rather than beans, Trajectory offered to plant corn around it. The homeowner thought that was a great idea, but since it is on a hill you will see solar panels. The biggest concern of homeowner is you are going to see solar panels, and he still has a drainage issue. Another guest comments that it is a water shed area for Deer Creek. Mrs. Sheets presents some photos that represent what the homeowners will be looking at if the solar farm is allowed to move forward. Another guest is against the rumors of the runoff of chemical from solar farms and feels that farm ground shouldn’t be used this purpose. Mrs. Davenport states that there are safeguards in place regarding fines for those actions. Mrs. Sheet states that each solar farm is only about 35 acres each, leaving most of the farmland in Logan County available. Dr Hepler states that this has been to ZBA and will be coming to the board in September.

4) Carbon Sequestration (CCUS)- Alec Messina states that he is meeting with RPC later. Dr. Hepler offers the floor to Mr. Messina. Dr. Hepler introduces a report from Don Cavi from LCDPH, and the conditional uses from Doug Thompson ZBA chairman has some experience with carbon sequestration in other counties. Mr. Messina agrees with the wording provided by Mr. Thompson. Motion to refer language to ZBA seconded and motion carried. Dr. Hepler says he is hoping to bring this to the full board in Early October given that ZBA can review it before that time.

5) Broadband- Dr. Hepler turns the discussion to Mr. Leesman. Mr. Leesman reports that the grant proposal that they are working with he State to make this middle mile project a reality. The intent was to cover all locations however we do have follow some guidelines based on prevailing wage which increases the cost. There is a ceiling for the grant. Mr. Leesman gives a rundown of the process and what has been completed. Mr. Leesman says it is time to decide who is going to be phase 1 and then phase 2 to make the project work budget wise. Phase two will likely be dependent on a federal grant. As an open access provider, we will be asking providers to build it out to the home or business. Mr. Leesman has already received several letters from vendors who are interested in bringing it to the home when the County is ready for the process. A member of the audience asks Mr. Leesman when he anticipates end mile being completed. Mr. Leesman responds possibly the project in its entirety once an area is completed a provider can get in on the network. The project is slated to take about 18 months to build the project out once the grant is secured. A guest comments that Lincoln, Atlanta and possibly Mt. Pulaski already have broadband with multiple providers. The guest was under the impression that the money was for rural and they think of rural as Chestnut, Middletown, and San Jose, the guest doesn’t consider Lincoln rural. Mr. Leesman states that the city project is not part of the County Project. The guest asks about an ATT tower in western Dewitt County that has not been using, and that TMobile is still not accessible. The guest comments that he understands that companies are making permit request, but the request are being denied by the County. Mrs. Kavelman ask the guest to connect her with whoever it is that is being denied request, she comments that she has approved several for Tmobile and a few others and is waiting for permit fees on a few. She is not aware nor has not denied any request A guest representing Aetna Township voice their frustration in Chestnut, for example the bank is not able to operate today due the lack of internet, the need for Chestnut is needed and Chestnut is frustrated that they are not part of phase 1 especially when they feel the need is great in their community. The guest comments that they are willing to do whatever is needed to assist the county to bring broadband to Chestnut. Mr. Leesman assures guest that the intent is to bring Broadband to all communities in Logan County, despite what has been published in the article referred to there is no plan to leave anyone out. Mrs. Davenport adds that the Board has been frustrated with the reporting of local sources and the accuracy of those reports. Leesman states that this network will be an open access network and will be open to any provider who wants to use it. Mr. Leesman shares a priority matrix that he has developed to help prioritize how they can decide who is part of phase 1 and phase 2 unbiased. Mr. Leesman states that there have been no final decisions about who would be included in phase 1. Mr. Leesman states the Board plans to use a matrix and other tools to make the decision and will be voted on by the Board as a whole.

Dr. Hepler encourages the guest to attend Zoning Committee meetings to keep their request in front of the Board. Mrs. Davenport thanks the guest for coming forward to express the need of the Communities in Logan County (besides Lincoln) she expresses her appreciation as the board has faced a lot of nay Sayers who think there is no need for this Broadband network. The guest state that whatever they can do to help they would be happy to write letters of support etc. for the broadband initiative.

NEW BUSINESS:

1) United Way Request – Dr. Hepler mentions he is hoping for a motion to move this to finance to be considered at budget time. The money is to come from community development fund. They had asked for a 5-year commitment, but he doesn’t feel that this board can bind future boards to financial commitments. Mrs. Davenport asks about the number of children who would be served by this program. Mrs. Davenport makes a motion to refer to finance, seconded by Mr. Leesman motion carried

2) Pike Creek-. Hoping to be before the ZBA in November. Beth has been working very had with them.

3) Where do we go from here Dr. Hepler talks about El Dorado, Arkansas community who was facing poverty and crime. They started a program that offered free 2-year college education to kids who completed High School without getting in trouble.

4) Professional Engineer, Serena Page, PE, for Pike Creek- Dr. Hepler would like to bring Serena forward in anticipation of Pike Creek coming forward. He feels Ms. Paige works well with Mr. Aukamp.

5) GPEDC funding We are currently providing $2500 the Board used to contribute $5,000 and feels that $5,000 would be more appropriate given what we are getting from them. Mrs. Davenport states that is pretty sure that we are giving Mrs. Davenport makes a motion to provide $5,000 to GPEDC seconded by Mr. Leesman. Motion Carries

6) Community Development Fund Use – Dr Hepler says he put this here to keep the board thinking about how this fund is being spent.

7) Village Of Elkhart request for extension of Elkhart TIF District Mrs. Davenport makes a motion to support the request, Mr. Leesman seconds the motion. Motion carried.

8) Zoning Amendment Progression- Dr. Hepler talks about the role of regional planning in this process, and he is hoping that that group can be revitalized.

9) Permit Renewal for Upgrades- Supply chain issues sometimes are requiring permit holders to renew permits. Dr Hepler says he would like to give Mrs. Kavelman the authority to make decisions about the charging for permit renewals and whether to waive in special circumstances. Motion made to give Mrs Kavelman discretion when accessing fees seconded. Motion carried.

10) Consulting

11) Permit Expiration/Payment covered in #9

ZONING OFFICER’S REPORT: -

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT:

1. Expense Approvals

2. Office Help

3. Zoning Candidates – Mr., Sowers is here to discuss the job, Dr. Hepler suggest going to executive session. Mr. Davenport, makes a motion to bring Mr. Sowers before the full board, seconded by Mrs. Welch.

APPROVE THE BILLS: Mr. Leesman makes a motion to approve the bills, Mrs. Davenport seconds the motion, motion carried.

COMMUNICATIONS:

PUBLIC COMMENTS

EXECUTIVE SESSION-.

ADJOURNMENT Motion made to adjourn at 6:46 motion seconded. Motion Carried

https://logancountyil.gov/images/Planning_and_Zoning_090722.pdf