The Danville Area Planning and Zoning Commission is recommending the city council approve requests for four special use permits.
Commissioners unanimously approved a request for a permit for a cannabis cultivation facility at 202 Eastgate Drive, near the Lynch Road exit. And the panel voted 5-1 in favor of a special use permit for a solar farm near the Aqua Illinois Water Company treatment plant on west Fairchild Street.
Four citizens voiced objections to the solar farm, expressing concerns about setbacks and light that could reflect off the solar panels and into their homes. But Aqua Illinois local plant manager Andy Price said the panels actually absorb light. And Price noted the project now has a 200-foot setback from neighboring properties instead of the required 100 feet.
Price estimated the solar farm would save $4-million dollars in operating costs for the water treatment plant over the next 25 years.
The farm would have a 10-foot-tall fence surrounding it along with shrubs. Price said the maximum height of the solar panels is eight feet.
Both proposals now advance to the Danville City Council for consideration. The Planning and Zoning Commission is also recommending special use permits be approved for a bar or tavern at 127 North Walnut in Danville…and another for a retail gun shop/specialty goods store at 3803 North Vermilion Street.
