Sixth solar farm proposed for Yorkville area

Solar farms are on the agenda again, with one proposed along a corridor in Yorkville that is rapidly transitioning from agricultural to manufacturing, and another in unincorporated land just outside city limits.

As part of the already city-approved Corneils Road Solar project, the developers, Nexamp, LLC, are proposing an additional 30-acres of solar panels on an adjacent 70-acre farmland parcel. The lot is north of Corneils Road, 1,500 feet west of Beecher Road, and 4,000 feet east of Route 47.

For the already approved project, the city annexed and rezoned two parcels, to permit a 35-acre solar array. The developers entered into a 20-year lease agreement with the property owners to operate the solar farm. The lease may be extended.

City officials approved four separate solar farm developments in 2024.

To get the go-ahead, the city first needs to grant the developers a special use and variance approval. The variance is to reduce the city-required 1,000-foot setback from the road to 482 feet.

During a committee meeting last week, city staff said they do not currently support the requested variance to allow the solar arrays less than 1,000 feet of Corneils Road.

After more planning and discussion, a final city council vote is tentatively scheduled for the March 25 meeting at City hall.

A city ordinance requires the location of the solar panels to eliminate glare that could be directed into nearby properties or roadways.

Further outside Yorkville, a 93.4-acre solar farm project was approved by the Yorkville planning and zoning committee without any objections.

The unincorporated property is currently outside city limits, but within the 1.5-mile planning jurisdiction of Yorkville. It is located south of Ament Road, west of Route 47, and two miles from the Windett Ridge subdivision.

At an August 2024 city council meeting, the council confirmed that Yorkville would not pursue a pre-annexation agreement for the proposed solar farm development.

The developers, Ament Road Solar, LLC, filed an application with Kendall County for a variance on behalf of the Janet Dhuse Declaration of Family Trust.

Per county regulations, a commercial solar energy facility located within 1.5-miles of a municipality must seek the feedback of the town if they do not have an annexation agreement. Because Yorkville refused a pre-annexation agreement, the developers need a variance request approved from the county.

The proposed 1,442-foot setback of the solar array from Ament Road is consistent with Yorkville’s required 1,000-foot ordinance.

The planned solar development will be brought for further review before the city council at their Jan. 20 meeting at City Hall.