Solar energy companies start filing paperwork

Gordon Woods / gwoods@theclintonjournal.com

CLINTON — In June, DeWitt County issued eight permits, county zoning administrator Elizabeth Weikle reported Monday to the county board’s land use committee.

In, July, the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) recommended a special use permit for a short-term rental to go to the county board this month, Weikle also reported. 

“And, I have sent out notifications for two new variances to be heard by the ZBA next month,” Weikle said.

Weikle also reported a property turned over to the state’s attorney for non-compliance with county code had since been brought into compliance.  She said a second property was still in the process of being brought into compliance.

Three solar companies have applied for site hearings, according to Weikle.  A hearing has been set for August 12 at 5 p.m. for Prairie Flats Solar, L.L.C.

Praire Flats filed a Site Permit Application with DeWitt County for a commercial solar energy production facility.  The legal notice for this application can located on page 12 of today’s Clinton Journal.

“And, we are currently in the process of scheduling hearings for Triple Black Diamond Solar (2,125 acres) and Revere Road Solar (30 acres),” Weikle said.

Weikle said she also expected an application for the Madison Street solar project.

“Santa Anna solar project (10-12 acres) has reached out to me, and they are close to applying as well,” Weikle said.  “But, they are now going to be a community solar project and not a commercial solar project.  It has shrunk significantly in size.”