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ZBA approves permit for community solar farm in East Galesburg

A Community Solar Farm is closer to being constructed on a piece of private land in Northeast Galesburg after a vote by the Knox County Zoning Board of Appeals yesterday.Board members voted 4-0 to grant Geromino Energy a conditional use permit to operate a 2 megawatt solar farm, a stipulation of the county’s solar zoning ordinance.

KCAP President Ken Springer says Geronimo’s request follows the letter of the law.

There were several residents who came to the meeting to voice their disapproval.

Springer says he understands and respect those who are voicing opposition to this project but he says its important to think critically about the future of Knox County.

“What it comes down to, I think we as a community need to look at the benefits of the project and we need to think critically about the future of Knox County and whether or not we’re going to be welcoming of new industries and new companies that want to invest in our community,” Springer says.

Springer says this solar farm could bring in between $21,000 and $56,000 in property taxes in the first year, depending on which if any of a pair of bills in the state legislature become law.

He says that Knox County residents are tired of seeing their property taxes go up and this a way to offset that.

If the conditional use permit is ultimately approved by the Knox County Board then Geronimo expects to construct the farm as soon as Spring 2019.

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