DeKalb County Board to vote on solar ordinance

DeKALB – Since September, DeKalb County officials have been working to draft ordinances on solar and wind power, with the solar regulations being a precursor to any proposal on wind power regulations.

After a continued public hearing and the unanimous approval of the Planning and Zoning Commission, the DeKalb County Board is ready to take action on a solar ordinance during its Wednesday meeting.

The County Board will meet at 7 p.m. in the DeKalb County Legislative Center's Gathertorium, 200 N. Main St. in Sycamore. A copy of the solar ordinance is available on the DeKalb County website, dekalbcounty.org/Ords_Policies/pdf/DC-18-2-Solar.pdf.

About a year ago, the board unanimously approved a moratorium on developing wind and solar farms for 18 months or until a sustainable energy ordinance is passed. During that time, the county would assess the effects wind towers would have on the community but not issue special use permits for wind farms or take any action on commercial solar farms.

The ordinance being presented to the board will define solar farms and solar gardens and set other related definitions.

In January, a public hearing was conducted to review an initial draft ordinance. While some residents wished for some clarification, most were in favor of the proposal.

A revised draft ordinance that was discussed during the second half of the hearing in February set the maximum size of a solar garden at 5 acres, which some residents disagreed with. The finalized ordinance, however, expanded the size to 20 acres.