Solar farm permits approved in Madison County
Solar panels (Brad Choat photo)
Two solar farm projects have earned the Madison County board’s approval, while two others need more study.
At the board’s September meeting, members granted a special use permit for a facility off Wanda Road in Roxana and for one in an abandoned Collinsville strip mine.
Board chair Chris Slusser said developers made concessions to satisfy neighbors in Roxana, and at least one board member suggested the Collinsville site is the perfect place for a solar farm.
During the public comment session of the meeting, an attorney for a solar project in Moro, Ben Jacoby, said his developers too have worked with neighbors to alter their original plan.
A neighbor named “Tammy” asked the board to use caution when allowing solar farms in residential areas:
The board sent back to committee the special use permit requests for a Moro solar farm and also one along Old Alton Road in Granite City.