The Germantown Village Board approved a conditional use permit on Nov. 3 for a 35-acre solar energy conversion system (Limekiln Solar) proposed for roughly 35 of a 54-acre parcel at N144 W12531 Pioneer Road. The applicant, 1 Energy, said the project would have approximately 6 megawatts of capacity and be capable of serving about 1,400 households.

Plan-commission recommendation and board action: The village plan commission recommended denial (4–2). At the board meeting the applicant answered questions about visibility, vegetation and decommissioning. The applicant and its attorney agreed to several additional conditions proposed by the commission. After discussion the board approved the CUP with conditions.

Conditions approved by the board (applicant agreed to these in the meeting):

• Submit a formal landscape plan that evaluates existing vegetation and provides year-round screening around the project area (staff to review; applicant agreed to evaluate existing planting and supplement as needed).
• Limit vegetation management to spot spraying rather than widespread broadcast herbicide application.
• Add the village as an insured party on the project pollution-liability insurance policy.
• Prohibit the use of lithium-ion batteries on-site as part of the solar facility’s operations.

Applicant and owner comments: Robert Overmayer, the landowner, told the board most nearby properties would not have visual exposure to the array, saying, “there is no one with the exception of one property that will be able to see anything of that solar farm.” Attorney David Shea, representing 1 Energy, said the applicant would accept the screening requirement as written so long as it does not require duplicative plantings where natural buffers already exist: “With that understanding, we would agree to all those conditions as well.”

Discussion vs. decision: Trustees asked about soil effects, decommissioning, pollinator habitat, and whether grazing (sheep) could be used for vegetation control; applicant said the plan uses native pollinator mixes and that sheep grazing is used on other projects though not yet in the utility territory for every project. The village attorney noted that board decisions on zoning and conditional uses can be challenged in court; the applicant’s attorney indicated the company is prepared to proceed if legal action becomes necessary.

Outcome and next steps: The CUP passed and is subject to the conditions above and any further final engineering and landscaping review by staff. The site plan had been denied by the plan commission and any detailed site or construction plans will require additional approvals and inspections.