DeWitt County Board Land Use Committee met Feb. 14.
Here are the minutes provided by the committee:
MEMBERS PRESENT: Claro Carter – chair, Joe Witte, Megan Myers, Pat Ryan, and Melonie Tilley. Also present, Dee Rentmeister - County Administrator/Interim Zoning Administrator.
MEMBERS ABSENT: None
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION:
Motion by Ryan, 2 by Tilley to approve last month's minutes. Voice vote, motion carried. No one was wanting to address the committee.
Committee has concerns concerning the enforcement of the condition set out for Alta Farms to curtail during a severe weather warnings. A draft policy/procedure was handed out the members for review and discussion. General discussion on the draft policy/procedure and what is considered a reasonable time. Ryan stated that if curtailment isn't started within 4 minutes, then they won't curtail at all. Will send this draft to the State's Attorney for review and feedback and address next month.
Discussion on the newly passed law and how it affects the wind and solar ordinances. Need to focus on revising the ordinances to be in compliance with the law and forward onto the board for adoption and then focus on other text amendments. Fees will need to be addressed, whether a special use will be required or having the hearing at the county board level, and what zoning districts will wind and solar be allowed. Ordinances will need to be complete by the May County Board meeting,
Dee informed the committee that the current solar ordinance does not address a community solar farm and the definition that the state has for a commercial solar farm does not fit the definition of a community solar farm. Discussed the possibility of a company filing for a community solar farm in the near future. At this time, a variance could be filed to increase the acreage and then a special use would be needed.
Dee informed the committee that the host fees received from GFL for the past year was $1,083,623.78.
Will put on the full board agenda this month under new business to have the county board authorize the land use committee to start the text amendment process for wind and solar. Will notify the RPC and ZBA that the board is working on getting commercial wind and solar ordinances in compliance with the new passed law before working on text amendments. Motion by Tilley, 2nd by Ryan to adjourn at 6:11 p.m. Voice vote, motion carried.
COMMITTEE ACTION:
Approve last month's minutes.
RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE FULL BOARD: None
DATE OF NEXT MEETING: March 13, 2023 at 5:00
http://www.dewittcountyill.com/minutes/2023/committee/Land-Use-021423.pdf
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