The Kane County Development Committee voted to forward a special‑use zoning petition from CFP Illinois Orchard Solar LLC to the full county board after a 3‑2 vote on an 87‑acre project in Sugar Grove Township.

Staff described the proposal as three co‑located roughly 5‑megawatt solar facilities on approximately 87 acres north of Jericho Road and east of Illinois Route 47. Staff told the committee the project meets county setback and zoning requirements, submitted required natural resource and archaeological reports, and drew recommended stipulations from Water Resources, KDOT and the Sugar Grove Fire Protection District, which agreed the petitioner should enter into an equipment agreement to ensure firefighters can reach arrays more than 500 feet from access roads. The Zoning Board of Appeals recommended approval 5‑0 with two members absent; staff reported two written objections from neighboring landowners and one formal objection and resolution from the Village of Sugar Grove.

"This is effectively three 5‑megawatt solar facilities all colocated," staff said, noting the project’s larger scale compared with prior petitions. Gary Linos, representing the petitioner, said existing tree cover and proposed screening will limit visual impacts and that "you won't be able to see it a half mile away." Commissioner Leonard said he would vote against forwarding the petition, citing the number of recommended stipulations, concerns about the proposed fencing and the project’s potential to limit future annexation and residential development by the Village of Sugar Grove.

After discussion and public comment, Commissioner Leonard moved the petition forward for discussion and vote; the motion was seconded and the roll produced recorded votes that resulted in the measure passing 3‑2. The petition will go to the full Kane County board on Dec. 9.

The committee also requested staff and interested members pursue more robust, countywide landscaping standards for solar facilities and explore whether any approved but unpermitted projects could be brought under updated criteria through permitting or ordinance changes.