Kankakee Times

Village of Bourbonnais Community & Economic Development Committee met May 29.

Here are the minutes provided by the committee:

1. Meeting Opening

Meeting called to order at 3:30 PM by Trustee Jeff Keast

Action, Procedural: A. Roll Call - Trustee Jeff Keast

Members present: Mayor Paul Schore, Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini. Also in attendance, Treasurer Ron Riebe, Attorney Patrick Dunn, Administrator Michael Van Mill, Finance Director Tara Latz, Public Works Superintendent Terry Memenga, Marketing Manager Lindy Casey, Engineer Mike Gingerich, and Admin Assistant Margie Beach. Absent Trustee Randy King

2. Review & Approve Minutes

Action, Minutes: A. Community & Economic Development Committee Meeting Minutes from May 16, 2024

Motion by Trustee Rick Fischer, second by Trustee Angie Serafini to approve the Community & Economic Development Committee minutes from May 16, 2024, as presented.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

3. Planning Commission

Discussion: A. Case PSU24-0003: Special Use at 1780 Career Center Rd in an R-1 One-Family Residence District for the allowance of Solar Electric Power Generation (NAIC Code 221114). Applicant: St. Paul's Lutheran Church

> Mr. Van Mill explained this discussion was tabled at the last meeting on May 16, so the Board could have time to review this project. Reminder this Special Use request from St. Paul's Lutheran Church and School is to allow a solar development (NAIC Code 221114) in an R-1 Zoning District (on Board Docs) to help lower their electric bills. Property is located at the northeast corner of Career Center and Burns Roads. The solar panels would be located on the ground in the southeastern portion of property on about 1.3 acres, surrounded by a 6 or 8 foot fence with landscaping. The Planning & Zoning Commission provided their findings and voted 6-0 to recommend approval of the Special Use request to construct the solar facility.

> Trustee Keast explained he went to the site, and he received communication from several residents, and St. Paul's Treasurer Scott Styck regarding this project. Per a resident's request, he reached out to State Rep Jackie Haas regarding House Bill 4135 which allows counties to change the set back for solar field from 150 feet back to a maximum of 500 feet. The policy was in the rules committee which will be discussed in the future. Regarding a Decommissioning Plan we don't have anything from St. Paul's that states what the owner will do with the facility after the solar panels are done. Also spoke to the County Assessor and was told it doesn't affect property values at this time. Trustee Keast stated this is his field of expertise and he has them and has installed solar panels and doesn't feel a concern about safety, since they've been around since the 1970's.

> Mayor Schore stated letters were sent to himself and all of the Board members from St. Paul Treasurer Scott Styck explaining their need for the costs savings solar system and attached their Com Ed electric bills for a couple months. We are trying to get information regarding making a decision and have a list of what else they need to help them make a decision.

> Trustee Greenlee stated we received a signed petition with 40 residents opposing this request at the last meeting, feels its too close to being in town.

> Trustee Littrell stated he missed the last meeting but reviewed the information that was provided. He understands the solar infrastructure is not hazardous and learned it is also recyclable at the end of 20 years.

> Trustee Fischer stated he too was out of town and is still getting caught up on this request, is reviewing the area, and understands the fence will be 6 or 8 feet high and landscaping will be around the fence as well. Concerned about the maintenance around the panels.

> Mayor Schore stated currently the Village does not allow 8 feet tall fences, but it can be included as a condition of the Special Use permit.

Public Comments:

> Meadowbrook resident Brett Reum read the letter he wrote to Trustee Keast, and residents Nakita Tribet and Dwight Lockwood also commented they are against this solar field project, and feel St. Paul's should put panels on their roof. There is no benefit for the community, only St. Paul's would benefit. Residents requested the Village put in some type of guidance in an Ordinance regarding solar panels.

> St. Paul Treasurer Scott Styck gave an explanation on why they want the solar field versus on the roof mount system. Roof mount system would be 90% effective, had a structural engineer do a due diligence study and said about 86%. The cost was $1.3M, which included an overlay on the roof. Their roof is good for another 12-15 years, solar panels will last 20-30 years and they don't want to move them halfway through when they replace the roof. A ground mount system would give them 105% coverage and would cost less after putting in the fence and landscaping it's a $50,000 difference. This solar program will cover the utility bill at the school, their electric bill runs $7,300 to $7,400 monthly. They plan to put gravel down, it would not be grass or weeds. Made reference in the contract to putting in a warranty with Solargistix it would cover 90% of what they project that efficiency drops below, and will reimburse St. Paul's the difference.

Community & Economic Development Committee agreed to table Case #PSU24-003 until the next meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2024 at 4:00 PM.

4. New Business - None

5. Old Business

Discussion: A. Garage, Rummage and Occasional Sales Regulations Update in Chapter 18

> Table to the next meeting.

Discussion: B. PSI Development Agreement Amendment

> Mr. Van Mill stated they met with PSI representatives this past week regarding their Development Agreement we passed a few months ago. Since then, there have been a number of modifications that they've made to their development plan for the Village to consider. Once PSI finalizes these details to the amended Agreement, we will have a new draft of their development and discuss at an upcoming meeting.

6. Public Comments - see above

7. Executive Session - Not applicable

8. Adjournment and Time

Action, Procedural: A. Adjournment Time

Motion by Trustee Jack Littrell, second by Trustee Angie Serafini to adjourn the Community & Economic Development meeting at 4:12 PM.

Final Resolution: Motion Carried

Aye: Trustee Bruce Greenlee, Trustee Rick Fischer, Trustee Jeff Keast, Trustee Jack Littrell, and Trustee Angie Serafini

https://go.boarddocs.com/il/vobil/Board.nsf/files/D5VJNE4DD72E/$file/2024-05-29%20C%26ED%20Minutes%20for%20Approval.pdf