SPRING VALLEY — Walmart Distribution Center is building a garden, but they will not be selling vegetables.
The Spring Valley City Council approved an ordinance during Monday night’s city council meeting granting a special use permit request and variance request for Walmart to construct a solar garden.
The solar garden will provide a renewable energy source for a portion of the electrical needs at the Walmart Distribution Center.
The Spring Valley Land Development Code limits the size of solar gardens to no more than 5 acres, but this ordinance allows Walmart to erect a 16-acre solar garden on its property located at 3120 Illinois Hwy. 89.
Alderman Fred West was the only nay vote. Before the vote, West questioned whether Walmart would be assessed a utility tax.
Alderwoman Debra Deb Baltikauski reported that the Legislative Committee met on Aug. 19 to review the first draft of the comprehensive plan that provides a vision, goals and objectives.
The committee also discussed the Grow Spring Valley survey results. The survey asked various questions regarding living in Spring Valley, changes for improvement of the city, and the growth and development of the city.
The residents of Spring Valley appreciate the small-town atmosphere, the parks, the people, the quiet atmosphere and the schools as well as restaurants and events.
The downtown plus commercial and business development were areas where residents would like to see changes made. Residents encouraged the development of retail businesses, single-family homes and restaurants as well as with manufacturing.
In other news:
• The council approved the closure the Third Street between Richards and Taylor streets for an upcoming block party.
• A facade grant application for Little Lotus owned by Lindsay Ponsetti was approved.
• The council granted approval to use local funding for the Route 89 sewer extension project at the estimated construction cost of $278,000 from the TIF Fund.
• Two bids for the removal of a locust tree at 721 W. Erie St. were rejected. The council decided to include the removal of three or four additional trees and will seek bids that reflect the change.
• There will be a Finance Committee meeting at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 4, with a Water and Sewer Committee meeting and Legislative Committee meeting immediately following.
The next regularly scheduled meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, in the council chambers.