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The Bureau County Board sent back a proposal Tuesday to the Zoning Board of Appeals for a solar farm just north of Cherry.
The solar farm would be constructed at Route 89 and Township Road. The developer was seeking to build a 4.99-megawatt commercial solar facility. The site would consist of solar panels, racking, foundation piles, inverters, overhead poles, and lines and perimeter fencing, the developer said.
Concerns were raised about the possible decrease in property values and the enjoyment of outdoor living spaces, among other items.
The Zoning Board of Appeals did not recommend the project, voting 4-1 against it.
The village governments of Cherry and Arlington did not object to the project. The County Board decided to send back the item for further consideration by the Zoning Board of Appeals.
County Board approves aerial mapping
The County Board approved by the assessor’s office the purchase of aerial photography from EagleView at a payment of $44,511.25 a year for three imagery projects over a nine-year period.
The aerial maps will assist not only the assessor’s office but also the sheriff’s office, emergency management agency and other county offices with more detailed, updated maps.
The County Board also approved $300,000 in American Rescue Plan Act funding for the Arukah Institute of Healing to assist with fitting the interior and exterior of the former Perry Plaza Building, contingent on its pending lease.
Arukah, which focuses on behavioral health care, employs 69 people and plans to invest more than $500,000 in the project. Board member Keith Cain, R-Princeton, abstained from the vote because he serves on Arukah’s board of directors.
The board also approved $111,800 in ARPA funding for the courthouse building to replace aging water fountains and restroom flush systems, to install toilet partitions, to repair and polish the Terrazzo floor, and to install security access doors for the judge and courtroom.
It also approved $9,500 for the installation of a dividing wall allowing for an additional office to the County Administration Office.
The County Board tabled approving the purchase of an outside courthouse digital sign from an Illinois Supreme Court grant funding the $36,525 cost. Board members said they believed the sign would not be compliant with Princeton’s zoning ordinances.