12/18/2024
Plans for (2) Proposed Large-Scale Solar Farms / Facilities have been presented to the city of Macomb, Illinois by Pivot Energy and Cambridge Properties LLC.
Both sites are located outside the city limits of Macomb, Illinois and are situated within Chalmers Township of McDonough, County, Illinois. They lie within the 1 1/2 mile extended zone from the City limits, that was created as a buffer.
The proposed solar farms would be located on both sides of E1000th Street, A Residential Road Just west of Macomb, Illinois. The actual sites would start approximately 1/10th of a mile South of Highway 136.
E1000th St, South of Highway, 136 has over 45-Residential home driveways of which there are (23) individual homes within a mile of the proposed sites; (15) homes are within 1/2 mile (Approx. 2,640') and (7) homes are within 350' of the proposed sites.
The Residents along E1000th St are against both facilities as presented for the following reasons:
• This project will take productive fertile farmland out of production
• Safety and health concerns
• No neighboring property / residence near both proposed sites and no property along E1000th St. would see any benefits of solar power from these facilities; as all the properties along E1000th St. are serviced by McDonough Power and not Amerin.
• The setback parameters and distances used, are the same that are used within the city limits of Macomb; while they maybe acceptable within the city, they are not in the country / rural areas. The city used a distance of 225’ from the proposed structures to a neighboring residence…Thus no Resident was given notice. WE CONTEND that within the city limits, the distance is measured from property line to property line, not from a proposed structure to an existing home. There are (5) properties owned by (5) different owners that are contingent to these parcels being considered for a large-scale solar facility.
• No visual barrier between the solar panels and E1000th St
• No visual barrier between the solar panels and the neighboring homes to the south.
• We are concerned that the site will be bought and sold several times over the life of the facility. We have justifiable concerns as to the continuance of the general maintenance of the facility. We are also concerned that the provided green spaces and fencing will not be kept up.
• How will the solar panels be properly disposed of after their useful life? and Who will be liable for this?
The Macomb City council is voting this Monday, December 23 on the issuance of a special use permit to allow the building of the large-scale solar farm / facility to be built on the property along the West side of E1000th St.
It is Important to Note: The residents along E1000th St. have been told by city officials that they (The Residents) do not and cannot have any influence over the proposed large-scale solar farm / facility along the East side of E1000th st.; as that land is zoned general manufacturing.
