Commercial solar energy proposal facing opposition from Hawthorn Woods, Long Grove
A public hearing Wednesday on a proposed commercial solar energy system on 49 acres of agricultural land in Fremont Township is expected to draw interest and opposition.
Florida-based property owner Mundelein Real Estate Investments LLC is seeking a conditional use permit to build the project on property comprising four parcels northwest of the intersection of West Indian Creek Road and Blackhawk Road to the Canadian National Railroad tracks.
New Leaf Energy, Inc., of Lowell, Massachusetts, is representing the owner and on behalf of Lake County Solar 3 LLC of Cambridge, Massachusetts, the contract purchaser of the property.
As proposed, the facility would house about 13,075 solar modules on about 38 acres. The property is zoned estate in Lake County, single-family residential in Hawthorn Woods and agricultural in Long Grove.
The Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals will open the public hearing at 1 p.m. at Knights Banquets, 365 Surryse Road in Lake Zurich.
The county’s department of planning, building and development recommended approval of the proposed permit as meeting specified criteria including fencing, height, setbacks and for having a decommissioning plan.
State law prohibits counties from adopting zoning regulations that don’t allow commercial solar energy facilities in districts zoned for agricultural uses, according to the recommendation.
Lake County ordinances allows for agricultural uses in any zoning district, so the solar facility would be allowed in its estate zoning classification.
The proposed facility is just outside the corporate limits of Long Grove and Hawthorn Woods and officials from each community plan to oppose the plan at the hearing.
This property abuts Long Grove at the Canadian National Railroad tracks, directly south of the Indian Creek Club subdivision, Village President Bill Jacob said in a notification to residents.
“In my opinion, the proposed solar installation is a large-scale operation that does not align with the rural character of both Hawthorn Woods and Long Grove,” Jacob said.
“Long Grove has a longstanding tradition of thoughtful planning with a mind to preserve the natural and rustic charm,” since it was incorporated in 1956, he added.
Hawthorn Woods also notified residents of the public hearing. Mayor Dominick DiMaggio said the village doesn’t oppose solar energy but will in this location near residents who are on wells for drinking water.
mzawislak@dailyherald.com