Ogle County Board approves solar development southeast of Polo
Feb. 19—OREGON — A solar facility southeast of Polo was approved by the Ogle County Board on Tuesday, with one member speaking out against using "prime" farmland for such a development.
By a voice vote, the board approved a special-use permit for OneEnergy Development LLC of Madison, Wisconsin, in the AG-1 (agricultural zoning district) for the construction and operation of a 2MWac community solar facility (Lupine Solar 2). The solar farm will be on 16 acres of a 75-acre site in the 3200 block of South Union Road.
The project was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals by a 5-0 vote on Jan. 30 and by an 8-1 vote by the Assessments and Planning and Zoning Committee on Feb. 11.
On Tuesday, board member Susie Corbitt, Polo, said adjacent property owners spoke against the project during public meetings in Polo. Those meetings were held because the project is located within 1.5 miles of the city limits.
In December, OneEnergy officials asked for a letter of recommendation from the Polo City Council either approving or declining this project. According to minutes of the council's Dec. 16 meeting, OneEnergy officials said they would make a contribution to the Polo Economic Development Corporation of $50,000 over 30 years.
The Polo City Council approved the project by a 4-2 vote on Jan. 6.
On Tuesday, county board member Marica Heuer, Oregon, questioned the location of the project on what she described as "prime" farmland.
"This is a prime piece of farmland. I am voting no on this on principle," she said.
After the meeting, Heuer said she disagreed in principle of taking prime farmland out of production, but understood the need for more energy resources.
"That's a lot of corn or soybeans, but unfortunately we need the energy," Heuer said.
Last month, the board unanimously approved an ordinance to increase the application fee for commercial solar and wind projects from a maximum of $25,000 to a fixed cost of $100,000.
The fee, which project developers pay to the county, is reviewed by the Ogle County Planning and Zoning Committee on a yearly basis. Its increase in 2025 is directed at the rising number of solar projects being brought to the county, which clashes with the board's commitment to protect agriculture and landowner rights.
The application fee is paid by developers as part of that process. Previously, the cost varied from project to project and was calculated as "equal to 2% of proposed commercial value, up to a maximum fee of $25,000," according to the ordinance.
The fee now is fixed at $100,000 for all commercial solar and wind developers coming to Ogle County, according to the ordinance.
Board member Pat Nordman, who is vice chairman, said she felt the increase was needed and listed several examples of recent unexpected costs to the county related to solar projects.
The Lee County Board updated its fee ordinance in January 2023 shortly after the new Illinois law was enacted. The application fee for commercial solar and wind projects in Lee County is $5,000 per megawatt up to a maximum of $100,000, which is used to cover the costs of a public hearing, according to the ordinance.
In Whiteside County, the application fee for solar and wind developers, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2022, is $1,000 plus $10 for every adjacent property included in the site plan, Whiteside County Building and Zoning Administrator Suzan Stickle said.
Payton Felix contributed to this story.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Yahoo
CF schools 'Green Team' wins funding, solar panels
CHIPPEWA FALLS — The Chippewa Falls High School Green Team recently won an event and has earned 20 solar panels and about $5,000 in funding to place the panels at Camp Nawakwa in northern Chippewa County. With earlier commitments of 12 panels and $10,000 from OneEnergy and 12 additional panels from the Solar for Good initiative, the team now has a total of 44 solar panels and $15,000 in financial support toward the installation, a press release stated Monday. 'This project is about more than clean energy — it's about student leadership, environmental responsibility, and building a sustainable future for Camp Nawakwa,' said teacher Nicholas Gagnon, who also serves as the Green Team advisor. 'These students have shown what's possible when young people are given the tools and support to lead.' Camp Nawakwa, a retreat center in the Northwoods, is aiming to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels while educating campers about renewable energy, the press release states. The student-led initiative will help offset electricity costs at the camp and demonstrate the real-world application of clean energy technologies. The Chippewa Falls Green Team is continuing to work with local partners, including Chippewa Valley Electric Cooperative, OneEnergy Renewables, the Couillard Foundation, and Solar for Good, to bring this vision to life. The team is also seeking additional community support to fully implement the solar installation.
Hypebeast
23-05-2025
- Hypebeast
TAG Heuer Unveils Three New Timepieces Ahead of Monaco Grand Prix and Indy 500
Summary TAG Heueris set to mark the upcomingMonaco Grand Prixand Indianapolis 500 racing circuits with three new watch releases: the Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch, the Monaco Chronograph x Gulf and the Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph 2025. As the first title partner in the history of theFormula 1Grand Prix de Monaco, the Swiss luxury watchmaker introduces these limited-editionMonacomodels to commemorate significant moments in motorsport, reflecting the brand's deep roots in the racing world. Among the new releases, the limited-edition Monaco Chronograph Stopwatch draws inspiration from emblematic Heuer stopwatches of the '60s and '70s. Housed in a 39mm titanium case coated in black DLC, the timepiece is designed to reflect the precision and intensity of high-level racing, channeling the clear design codes of vintage stopwatches with high-contrast, monochromatic subdials and markers. Maintaining its mechanical connection to the original Monaco, this watch is powered by the Calibre 11. Designed with a black perforated calfskin strap, it pays homage to the racing gloves worn by generations of drivers, reinforcing its motorsport legacy. Priced at 9,600 CHF (approx $11,614 USD), this timepiece is produced in a limited run of 970 pieces — a number signifying the decade that profoundly shaped the brand and its connection to motorsport. In a new limited-edition chronograph, TAG Heuer andGulfreconnect with the golden era of motorsport and the cinematic legacy that solidified the iconic status of the Monaco watch. Limited to 971 pieces, this model references 1971, the year the filmLe Manswas released, solidifying Steve McQueen's legend. This collaborative model celebrates the instantly recognizable Gulf livery, with its light blue and bright orange combination that became a fixture in endurance racing during the late 1960s and '70s. Its white straps are also crafted by Indiana-based manufacturer Hinchman, using the same fabric as McQueen's original racing suit, making this limited edition particularly special. The Gulf-collaborated model features a retail price of 9,300 CHF (approx $11,251 USD). The Monaco Split-Seconds Chronograph 2025 edition introduces TH-Titanium, a newly developed in-house case material defined by its natural, irregular pattern that shifts dynamically with light. Measuring 41 mm in diameter, the timepiece features a sapphire bezel and dial, inviting enthusiasts to admire the seamless interplay of form and function. Beneath the transparent dial, bold black opaline chronograph counters create sharp contrast, while the rattrapante hand, finished in vibrant lime green, enhances both visibility and aesthetic appeal. This same lime hue is subtly infused into the titanium rattrapante pusher and counter hands, reinforcing its motorsport-inspired design. Flipping the watch over reveals a sapphire crystal caseback, offering an unobstructed view of the Calibre TH81-00 movement, notable for its intricate symmetry and fine hand-finishing. Priced at 145,000 CHF (approx. $175,417 USD), each timepiece is individually numbered and secured with a hand-stitched black calfskin strap, featuring a textile pattern and a titanium clasp.
Yahoo
19-02-2025
- Yahoo
Ogle County Board approves solar development southeast of Polo
Feb. 19—OREGON — A solar facility southeast of Polo was approved by the Ogle County Board on Tuesday, with one member speaking out against using "prime" farmland for such a development. By a voice vote, the board approved a special-use permit for OneEnergy Development LLC of Madison, Wisconsin, in the AG-1 (agricultural zoning district) for the construction and operation of a 2MWac community solar facility (Lupine Solar 2). The solar farm will be on 16 acres of a 75-acre site in the 3200 block of South Union Road. The project was approved by the Zoning Board of Appeals by a 5-0 vote on Jan. 30 and by an 8-1 vote by the Assessments and Planning and Zoning Committee on Feb. 11. On Tuesday, board member Susie Corbitt, Polo, said adjacent property owners spoke against the project during public meetings in Polo. Those meetings were held because the project is located within 1.5 miles of the city limits. In December, OneEnergy officials asked for a letter of recommendation from the Polo City Council either approving or declining this project. According to minutes of the council's Dec. 16 meeting, OneEnergy officials said they would make a contribution to the Polo Economic Development Corporation of $50,000 over 30 years. The Polo City Council approved the project by a 4-2 vote on Jan. 6. On Tuesday, county board member Marica Heuer, Oregon, questioned the location of the project on what she described as "prime" farmland. "This is a prime piece of farmland. I am voting no on this on principle," she said. After the meeting, Heuer said she disagreed in principle of taking prime farmland out of production, but understood the need for more energy resources. "That's a lot of corn or soybeans, but unfortunately we need the energy," Heuer said. Last month, the board unanimously approved an ordinance to increase the application fee for commercial solar and wind projects from a maximum of $25,000 to a fixed cost of $100,000. The fee, which project developers pay to the county, is reviewed by the Ogle County Planning and Zoning Committee on a yearly basis. Its increase in 2025 is directed at the rising number of solar projects being brought to the county, which clashes with the board's commitment to protect agriculture and landowner rights. The application fee is paid by developers as part of that process. Previously, the cost varied from project to project and was calculated as "equal to 2% of proposed commercial value, up to a maximum fee of $25,000," according to the ordinance. The fee now is fixed at $100,000 for all commercial solar and wind developers coming to Ogle County, according to the ordinance. Board member Pat Nordman, who is vice chairman, said she felt the increase was needed and listed several examples of recent unexpected costs to the county related to solar projects. The Lee County Board updated its fee ordinance in January 2023 shortly after the new Illinois law was enacted. The application fee for commercial solar and wind projects in Lee County is $5,000 per megawatt up to a maximum of $100,000, which is used to cover the costs of a public hearing, according to the ordinance. In Whiteside County, the application fee for solar and wind developers, which went into effect Jan. 1, 2022, is $1,000 plus $10 for every adjacent property included in the site plan, Whiteside County Building and Zoning Administrator Suzan Stickle said. Payton Felix contributed to this story.
