Can proposed solar farm and homes coexist in Antioch?

Can a $5 million investment in clean energy blend in a semi-rural landscape of existing residences and potential new homes?

That's what Antioch officials will decide, as a proposed 20-acre solar farm first presented as a concept a year ago proceeds through the village’s review process.

Renewable Properties LLC of San Francisco is seeking a zoning variance and special use approval to build the solar farm on 52 acres along the south side of North Avenue just east of Deep Lake Road in the northern part of town.

The proposal will be considered at 7 p.m. Wednesday during a combined session of Antioch’s advisory planning commission and zoning board. The session is at village hall, 874 Main St., or can be viewed via Zoom.

According to Renewable Properties, the solar farm would generate enough electricity to provide power to 538 homes, or about 1,600 people, and represents a $5 million investment.

The property has been on the market for several years. Village planners’ original vision and the town’s comprehensive plan foresaw the land developed with large estate homes.

The visual impact of a solar farm on homes near the site and any future single-family development in the North Avenue corridor is a concern. There are 600 to 800 acres along North Avenue that could be annexed and developed with low-density housing, according to the village.

“However, the proposed investment and environmental benefits of clean energy need to be balanced with the potential impact on the existing character of the surrounding area,” according a report to the village’s advisory bodies.

This would be the first community solar farm in Antioch. They are allowed in the village as a special use in estate districts, which generally are designated in environmentally sensitive areas or areas with no utilities.

The village solar ordinance also requires that solar farms be at least a half-mile from environmentally sensitive areas. This proposed solar farm is adjacent to Red Wing Slough and within a half-mile of existing wetlands.

However, because there will be no grading, a letter submitted by Renewable Properties from the Illinois Department of Natural Resources shows no objections or potential negative impact.

According to village staff, the biggest question is how the solar farm will look to adjacent properties if not screened properly. With that, the staff has been working with the company to incorporate extensive buffering around the site.

As presented, the site has 910 feet of frontage on North Avenue. It will contain 122 tracks of solar panels between 200 feet and 300 feet long. The village also has asked for an 8-foot board-on-board security fence, as opposed to galvanized steel and more trees to address the visual issues.

“If additional landscaping requirements are requested, we will certainly entertain the request for approval,” said Jim Auld, the project developer.

Auld said Renewable Properties’ just was approved for the first solar project under Lake County's jurisdiction near Mundelein. The company also is pursuing a 40-acre solar farm at the northeast corner of North Avenue and Nelson Road near the Antioch site.

According to the village staff report, there is a serious question about the oversaturation of solar farms along the corridor but it is unclear if there would be a negative impact on property values.

Staff has recommended approval of the special use subject to various stipulations including modifications of the buffering plan.