The Lee County Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously July 10 to recommend that the Lee County Board approve three special‑use permits for Pivot Energy Illinois LLC to build and operate community solar projects and associated battery storage in Nelson Township.

The three petitions were listed in the application materials as 25P1642, 25P1643 and 25P1644 and described in testimony as three separate ground‑mounted solar arrays with combined nameplate capacities of about 3.5 megawatts AC, 4.48 megawatts AC and 3.75 megawatts AC. The board’s recommendation followed an evidentiary hearing held earlier in May and additional findings and motions read and adopted at the July 10 session.

The board recorded roll‑call approval on all three petitions; in the roll calls the three seated members — Chair Bruce Forster, member Burrow, and member Phelan — each voted yes. The facilitator for the hearing was retired circuit judge Tim Slavin; Alice Henkel, Lee County zoning and planning officer, handled administrative matters and record keeping.

The ZBA’s recommendations include numerous conditions and findings (see other coverage in this package) on decommissioning, stormwater review timing, pollinator habitat, setbacks, fencing, emergency response coordination, training, and battery‑energy‑storage system (BESS) compliance. The board also recommended that the petitioners be required to supply specified documentation to the zoning administrator before building permits are issued.

The petitions will proceed to the Lee County Board. The ZBA set a tentative follow‑up schedule to reconvene after the county board meeting; the chair said the county board hearing is currently scheduled for Aug. 21, 2025.