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CITY OF WEST CHICAGO
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
ITEM TITLE:
AGENDA ITEM NUMBER: 7.8.
Special Use for an Alternative Electric Supply Facility
Cenergy Power
220 Kress Road
FILE NUMBER:
COMMITTEE AGENDA DATE: June 10, 2024
CReILTENES Io, 2h OS UOUE COUNCIL AGENDA DATE: June 17, 2024
STAFF REVIEW: Tom Dabareiner, AICP SIGNATURE
APPROVED BY CITY ADMINISTRATOR: Michael SIGNATURE
Guttman
ITEM SUMMARY:
BAP Power Corporation, d/b/a Cenergy Power, the contract leasee, is requesting approval of a special use
for an alternative electric supply facility (a solar farm). The subject property is approximately 16 acres in area
and is located on the west side of Kress Road between the Union Pacific Railroad overpass and Downs Drive.
The property is currently zoned A, Airport district.
The applicant is proposing to install a solar power facility on 11 acres of the 16 acre subject property.
The unused 5 acres of the property is a result of existing wetland and floodplain throughout the site
that cannot be developed on. The facility will consist of multiple rows of solar panels. The panels will
be pole mounted several feet above the ground and automatically pivot over the course of the day in
sequence with the angle of the sun. Native vegetation will be grown beneath the panels. The entire
facility will be enclosed with a 7-foot-tall chain link fence for security purposes. Minimal ground
equipment will be placed in the northeast corner of the site. The site will be accessed from a paved
driveway in the northeast corner of the site to Kress Road. Once constructed, the site will be un-
manned and require minimal maintenance. The City’s Comprehensive Plan designates the subject
property as open space due to the significant amount of wetlands on the property.
The petitioner had sought and received approval for an SUP for the proposed solar farm in 2018 ac-
cording Ordinance 18-O-0052. The project, however, never moved forward and the site remains un-
developed. As a result, the approval given by the City Council had lapsed and requires a new approv-
al prior to the development of the site.
At the June 4, 2024 Plan Commission meeting, members of the Plan Commission/Zoning Board of
Appeals voted 4-1 to recommend approval of the special use permit.
ACTION PROPOSED:
Consideration of a special use and concept plan for an alternative electric supply facility at 220 Kress
Road.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION:
Members of the Development Committee voted unanimously (5-0) in support of the Special Use and
Concept Plan for a solar farm at 220 Kress Road.
Attachments: Draft Ordinance
PC Recommendation
Site Plan