Zoning Board of Appeals - Zoning Hearing, 10-28-26

The McHenry County Zoning Board of Appeals held a zoning hearing on October 28, 2026, on application Z260046 from Pleasant Grove Solar LLC for a conditional-use overlay allowing a collector substation and switchyard on a 116.4-acre parcel in Riley Township. The facilities would support the previously approved 300-megawatt solar project. The developer said the substation would be owned and operated by Deriva Energy, while the switchyard would be built at the developer’s expense and transferred to ComEd; the switchyard and associated transmission upgrades were estimated at about $60 million. The developer also cited potential tax benefits exceeding $50 million over the project’s life. These were presented as project estimates, not county budget allocations or procurement awards.

The board heard testimony on siting, engineering, drainage, noise, visual effects, property values, environmental considerations, and statewide energy capacity. Public comments raised concerns about road access, flooding, construction traffic, and emergency access; the developer said it would work with local officials on access and a road-use agreement addressing road condition during construction. The applicant agreed to staff conditions and made an oral request concerning the term of the conditional use. No vote or contract award occurred at this hearing; the hearing was continued to the following day for the voting portion. No government procurement activity was identified.