Solar farms proposed in Fosterburg area

The Madison County Board needs more time to decide on a special use permit for two proposed solar farms in Fosterburg and one near Interstate 55 in New Douglas.

Board members voted 19-3 Wednesday night to send the matter back to the building and zoning committee for further discussion.  A landowner and project spokesman addressed the board prior to the vote, as did two opposing neighbors.

Board chair pro-tem Mick Madison tells The Big Z the county’s zoning board of appeals and its building and zoning committee recommended denying the permits Wednesday night, but he suggested a month’s delay on a final vote:

The project spokesman asked board members to “not move the goalposts” when it comes to their own solar farm regulations.

One neighbor that spoke said she doesn’t feel the project fits the dynamic of the rural locale’s 60 homes it would affect.