Sharon Schallhorn

The agenda for this meeting includes several public hearings and subsequent actions regarding VARIATION requests related to R-2 setback requirements for ground-mounted and roof-mounted solar arrays proposed by Brian Robbins et al., Russell D. Bernabei, and David J. Piper et al. The board will also hold a public hearing and subsequent action on a CONDITIONAL USE request by Berlin Township to build a new 30' x 30' township office building. Furthermore, there is a public hearing and action concerning a REZONING request from Agriculture to B-3 for a bar by Normandy Trackside, LLC, which includes associated VARIATION requests for a porch and handicap ramp.

The Comprehensive Plan focuses on summarizing Bureau County's existing economic activities and conditions, with a vision for desirable future conditions. It emphasizes economic development through market forces, regulation, and local government encouragement to stabilize, retain, and expand the economic base. The plan includes goals, objectives, and policies to leverage the county's assets, address weaknesses, and promote sustainable economic growth, diversification, and improved quality of life.

The intergovernmental cooperation plan focuses on improving communication and resolving conflicts between local units of government to enhance service delivery in Bureau County. It inventories existing agreements, such as those between the Bureau County Circuit Clerk's Office and Putnam County Circuit Clerk, and the Illinois Department of Healthcare & Family Services. Key goals include encouraging cooperation, prioritizing resident interests in agreements, sharing services, and coordinating economic development incentives across jurisdictional boundaries.

The Bureau County Zoning Board of Appeals convened to discuss a petition by Robert L. Carlson regarding property located in LaMoille Township. The hearing focused on a request for a variation to install a 9.78-kilowatt solar array on the roof of an existing garage. The request included a variation for the garage's proximity to the right-of-way and to expand a nonconforming structure. The board members discussed the location of the garage, the surrounding residential and school properties, and the distance from the garage to the pavement. Ultimately, the board approved the variation.

The Bureau County Zoning Board of Appeals held a hearing regarding Providence Heights Wind, LLC's applications for Conditional Use Permits to retrofit and operate a wind energy conversion system. The hearing involved testimonies from multiple witnesses, including Derek Bus, Jeff Reinkemeyer, Mark Bastasch, Ted Guertin, Rhett Good, Michael MaRous and Connie Stetson, who provided evidence and answered questions related to the project. Key topics discussed included the design and site plan of the wind farm, replacement of underground cabling, decommissioning plans, noise modeling and compliance with Illinois Pollution Control Board Noise Standards.