Mahomet Greenlights New Solar Farm with Special Use Permit Approval

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In a closely contested decision, the Champaign County Board has given the green light to a proposed solar farm in Mahomet, narrowly approving a special use permit with a vote of 11-10. The board convened on Thursday, October 23, to deliberate on Summit Ridge Energy’s ambitious plan to establish a 36-acre solar farm, which would stretch from the Spring Lake subdivision along Spring Lake Drive. According to Summit Ridge, this facility is expected to generate 4.99 MWAC, sufficient to supply energy to approximately 1,500 homes.

The vote saw a clear split along party lines. Opposition came from six Republicans and four Democrats, including prominent figures such as Ed Sexton, Jeff Wilson, Jon Cagle, and Monique Settles. Meanwhile, support for the project came from 11 Democrats, among them Jilmala Rogers, Matt Sullard, and Eric Thorsland, whose votes were crucial in pushing the proposal through.

This decision marks a significant step forward in the county’s renewable energy initiatives, as local authorities continue to balance environmental progress with community concerns. However, the narrow margin highlights the ongoing debate and differing perspectives on such developments within the county. The solar farm project, if completed, promises a cleaner energy future for Mahomet, though not without its share of controversy and discussion among residents and officials alike.

11 Democrats voted to approve it. This included Jilmala Rogers (D), Matt Sullard (D), Eric Thorsland (D), Daniel Wiggs (D), Bethany Vanichtheeranont (D), Jake Fava (D), Stephanie Fortado (D), Elly Hanauer-Friedman (D), Jenny Lokshin (D), Emily Rodriguez (D) and Chair Jennifer Locke (D).

During the public comment portion of the meeting, many people spoke up — both for and against the project.

“I just ask that tonight you vote like the solar farm was being planned by your home and not by how a one-size-fits-all state statute says you should vote,” one Mahomet resident said during the meeting.

An Urbana resident, however, said that increased solar energy usage would lead to economic, health and environmental benefits.

“By reducing fossil fuel pollution, the solar project will improve air quality and slow planetary warming, which is already causing more intense flooding and extreme heat. In fact, it’s expected to decrease crop yields due to a combination of drought, disease, and lower soil fertility. That means temporarily setting aside a small fraction of our acres to produce solar electricity will help ensure continued productivity on the remaining acres for the next century, if not longer,” an Urbana resident shared during the meeting.

Some of the board members also voiced their concerns — and their support — for the project.

Wilson, for example, said that while he “applauds the efforts” to mitigate concerns regarding noise, soil and erosion, he would be voting against the project.

“We need all kinds of different things for our energy infrastructure,” Wilson said. “However, I’m siding with the community that I reside in and I’m elected to support them and I’m choosing, with full understanding, to agree with the community that lives there that would have to live with this for the next 20 plus years.”

Farney added that the area is zoned as Ag-1, which means that people are going to assume the land will be used for agricultural purposes.

“Why we consider an industrial solar plant to be agriculture is mind-boggling. That definition makes no sense whatsoever,” he added.

Thorsland, on the other hand said he supported the right of the property owner to do what they want with their land.

“You don’t own your view. If you want to tell people what to do with what you see that isn’t yours, you have to buy it,” Thorsland said.

Sullard noted that Champaign County doesn’t have a complying ordinance — which is what led to the county being in this position. And, if a lawsuit happens, he doesn’t expect the county to win.

“What has been submitted in this plan complies with the state regulations and we don’t get to have an ordinance that says otherwise at the moment,” Sullard said. “So, when you talk about representing the people of Mahomet or the people of your community, who’s going to pay for that? Who’s going to pay for the damages that’s going to end up in higher taxes? Are we going to be able to come back to the people sitting out here and say, ‘You didn’t want it. We did what you wanted, but now you need to help us pay for the damages in the lawsuit.’”

During the public comment portion of the meeting, Moira Cronin, director of development for Summit Ridge Energy shared some changes that had been made to the project after speaking with the community.

This includes:

No longer cutting down trees on the east side of the site
Using local labor
Committing a cash escrow up front for 100% of the decommissioning
Have an agrologist inspect the site each year for invasive species

During the meeting, Cronin added that Summit Ridge Energy decided to commit $100,000 to the Mahomet Community Fund to directly benefit the Mahomet community.

Summit Ridge Energy said anyone who would like to share additional input can reach out to community@srenergy.com.