(A) Private SES and solar gardens. Ground-mount systems must comply with all required standards for structures in the district in which the system is located. All solar gardens shall also be in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulatory codes, including the State of Illinois Uniform Building Code, as amended; and the National Electric Code, as amended. Also, Health Department requirements for wells and septic systems must be met.
(B) Solar farms. Ground-mount solar energy systems that are the primary use on the lot, designed for providing energy to off-site uses or export to the wholesale market, are permitted under the following standards:
(1) Special use permit. Solar farms are special uses in agricultural district.
(2) Stormwater. Solar farms are subject to the City of Villa Grove's Stormwater Management regulations, erosion and sediment control provisions.
(3) Ground cover and buffer areas. Top soils shall not be removed during development, unless part of a remediation effort. Soils shall be planted to and maintained in perennial vegetation to prevent erosion, manage run off and build soil. The City of Villa Grove has a Noxious Weed Ordinance which is to be followed subject to the allowance of the planting of Pollinator plants as otherwise provided under this subchapter. Due to potential liability under the Illinois Endangered Species Protection Act (ILCS Ch. 520, Act 10, § 11(b) it is required that any crops planted be in compliance with all federal and state laws protecting endangered species. This will also include pollinators such as bees.
(4) Foundations. A qualified engineer shall certify that the foundation and design of the solar panels racking and support is within accepted professional standards, given local soil and climate conditions.
(5) Other standards and codes. All solar farms shall be in compliance with all applicable local, state and federal regulatory codes, including the State of Illinois Uniform Building Code, as amended; and the National Electric Code, as amended.
(6) Power and communication lines. Power and communication lines running between banks of solar panels and to nearby electric substations or interconnections with buildings shall be buried underground. Exemptions may be granted by the City of Villa Grove in instances where shallow bedrock, water courses, or other elements of the natural landscape interfere with the ability to bury lines, or distance makes undergrounding infeasible, at the discretion of the City Superintendent in consultation with the Mayor. In addition, the Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has established standards and policies in the Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreements (AIMA) regarding the construction or burial of electric transmission lines which should be agreed to and adhered to between the landowner and the developer.
(7) Site plan required. A detailed site plan for both existing and proposed conditions must be submitted, showing location of all solar arrays, other structures, property lines, rights-of-way, service roads, floodplains, wetlands and other protected natural resources, topography, farm tile, electric equipment, fencing, and screening materials and all other characteristics requested by the City of Villa Grove. The site plan should also show all zoning districts, and overlay districts. The city will retain the authority to suspend any requirement for any studies or plans for purposes of permit approval so long as such studies and/or plans are completed and approved by time of construction.
(8) Aviation protection. For approach zones of an airport, the applicant must complete and provide the results of the solar glare hazard analysis tool (SGHAT) for the Airport Traffic Control Tower cab and final approach paths, consistent with the Interim Policy, FAA Review of Solar Energy Projects on Federally Obligated Airports, or most recent version adopted by the FAA.
(Ord. 2021-MC12, passed 12-13-2021)