Split vote by Quincy City Council moves solar developments forward

The vote was to draft an ordinance for both proposals, which will require three readings before final vote

QUINCY–The city council was split, seven-to-seven, Monday night, with Alderman Dave Bauer (D-Ward 2) abstaining and Mayor Linda Moore casting a vote in the yes column to draft an ordinance on two solar panel projects that brought out several opponents to speak during the meeting.

The first request from Arena Cavern 1 Solar, LLC for a Special Permit for Planned Development to allow for the construction and operation of a 3.0 MWac Commercial Solar Energy Facility located immediately north of 928 Nieders Lane, which is outside city limits, but near Wad 6. It had been zoned RU1, or rural.

The second special permit request from Arena was for a 5.0 MWac Commercial Solar Energy Facility located immediately north of 2734 South 12th Street, at 2640 South 12th Street and immediately west of 2640 South 12th Street. Again, outside city limits, but near Ward 6 and zoned as rural.

The no votes:

• Jake Reed (R-Ward 6)
• Kelly Mays (R-Ward 3)
• Mike Adkins (R-Ward 3)
• Glenn Ebbing (R-Ward 5)
• Laura McReynolds (R-Ward 5)

Those voting yes expressed concern that the city risked getting sued for not providing cause for rejecting a permitted use of the land, as determined by a nine-to-one vote by the plan commission.

The facilities would cover about 13 and 20 acres, respectively, and be fenced with a treeline to obscure the view of the panels. Planners say there will be pollinator-friendly vegetation to promote soil quality, water management and on-site biodiversity.

They are expected to produce enough power for about 1,600 homes.

As reported by Muddy River News on July 29, Commissioner Dan Brink said the locations above the JM Huber mining caves, leaving few development options, and that, “Solar was a more appropriate use for this property than others we’ve seen.”

However, opponents, who spoke during the public comment section at Monday’s full council meeting, argued that granting such special permits ignores the city’s own neighborhood plan.

“This area is restricted for use beyond agricultural. I ask you to follow your own plan,” Nicki Aschemann said.

She also questioned why Arena seemed completely unaware of a sinkhole in the area off Nieders Lane in 2012.

“That’s not due diligence,” she said.

Director of Planning and Development Jason Parrott took several questions from the council after the public comment. He said they found nothing that said you cannot build on that property, provided the permitting process is followed.

He also said JM Huber has not expressed any concerns about ground stability with this development above its mining caves.

Parrott also revealed the developers have agreed to erect a sound barrier and that the closest solar panels to homes will be a distance of 500 feet, when the requirement is 150 feet.

Other opponents said the solar company representatives presented just vague concepts, and they didn’t like the project’s reliance on federal government subsidies.

Then, there’s the issue of what they expected their view would be when they moved into the area and what will happen now.

“A solar farm has no business being built anywhere near homes,” Rodney Molohon said. “They are an eyesore. We were told nothing would be built because of the cave below us. You can stop it now, just like you did on 36th Street, because of the neighborhood not wanting it.”

Once the ordinance is drafted, it will be subjected to three readings before a final vote.

Council members have also requested records of the plan commission as part of further research ahead of the final vote.