‘That’s not fair (for the city to) tell us how to live our life’: Plan Commission recommends denial of solar energy facility

QUINCY — The Plan Commission voted during its Wednesday meeting to recommend not supporting a commercial solar energy Facility at 3622 Ellington Road.

Dozens of interested citizens attended the meeting, both in favor and against the solar project. Fourteen people spoke during open comment, armed with petitions and arguments. The majority of speakers were against the solar farm.

The issue is relevant to the Quincy City Council because a special permit is necessary to build a solar plant on land zoned for rural agriculture. The land in question is outside of city limits, but because it is within a mile and a half of the city, it is still considered within the Quincy jurisdiction.

The final decision will be made by the City Council at the June 2 meeting.

“This wasn’t the outcome that we were hoping,” Moira Cronin, director of project development at Summit Ridge Energy, said after the meeting.

In Support

The proposed project is to be built on farmland owned by the Ellerbrock family and operated by Summit Ridge Energy. Supporters of the project are excited about the reduction of agricultural chemicals, increased taxes paid to Adams County, reduction of energy rates and clean energy.

The Plan Commission tabled the request for the solar facility at its April 22 meeting. Summit Ridge Energy then held a gathering for community members to ask questions and learn more about the project. They revised their plan, adding a wooden fence to accommodate neighbors who do not want to see the solar panels from their property.

The state of Illinois aims to use 100 percent clean energy by 2050, according to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act of 2021. The Illinois Environmental Council says the state is on track to use 25 percent renewable energy by the end of 2025, up from 10 percent in 2019.

Brad Ellerbrock expressed frustration over others blocking his ability to make money.

“That’s not fair (for the city to) tell us how to live our life and then tell us we can’t make no money with our ground,” he said.

In Opposition

Opponents of the project worry about construction at an already-dangerous intersection, the unsightliness of the panels, the potential for unintended environmental effects and the lowering of property values.

Citizens living nearby made it clear they enjoy the quiet countryside, and they worry that if one special permit is approved, the land will continue to be converted to accommodate more industry.

Michael R. Schutte asked the commission, “Would you want this in your neighborhood? Would you want this in your backyard?”

The Discussion

Jim Citro opened the commission’s discussion by reminding everyone about task at hand.

“The fact that they need an approval means, at least for me, they have to make a compelling case that we should make an exception.”

With that, Citro motioned to decline the application, which was unanimously agreed upon by the commission.

Gerald Rose, who spoke in opposition to the project, seemed relieved.

“I’m happy to see that this is going to move to the City Council with a denial in the works,” he said.

The camaraderie between his neighbors was present.

“We’ve enjoyed getting together, and we work together. We made it happen,” Rose said.

Annie C. Reller is a Seattle native and a recent Stanford graduate working as an intern for Muddy River News this spring.