By Karen Haave
Another solar power project has been rejected by the Green Garden Township Planning Commission. 
The  Special Use Permit sought by Surya Powered LLC to construct a solar farm on a 45-acre site on the south side of Stuenkel Road, between 80th and 88th Avenues, unanimously was denied by the seven-member commission earlier this month.
In September, the Chicago-based company pulled its application for a similar 12,000 solar panel farm on Center Road after residents voiced opposition, citing its proximity to homes, possible negative impact on property values there and, at the same time, contamination of prime farmland and loss of farms, and potential health issues.

Residents also said the panels are not quiet, with significant noise generated by tracking motors, gears, and battery storage systems, while others fear the panels can be used for “malicious manipulation of the weather.”

Two weeks ago, Crete Village officials added still another concern to the mix, postponing a vote on the proposed Torrence Avenue solar farm, when Trustees John Phelan and Steve Bruns commented that child labor allegedly is being used to assemble the solar panels. They also questioned the disposal of panels when they become outdated. 
Amnesty International and Afrewatch both have reported that it is believed children as young as seven years of age are being forced to work in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cobalt is a component needed for storing power in solar panels and wind plants.
Amnesty International and Afrewatch are calling for an embargo on DRC cobalt, as well as remedial action on the harm suffered by those whose human rights were abused.
Last week, Surya Powered officials skipped the Green Garden Township Plan Commission meeting, irking officials in the unincorporated area.
“Despite the urging of Green Garden Township to have this application vetted at the local level before the Green Garden Township Planning Commission, the applicants bypassed the township and went directly to Will County,” said GGT Supervisor Don Murday.
“The main complaint of the residents of Green Garden was that the proposed site was too close to residential and did not comport with the Comprehensive Land Use Plan adopted by Green Garden Township. That plan indicated the desire to keep the township rural and residential, directing any commercial or light industrial to the La Grange Road corridor. 
“On November 6, the Green Garden Planning Commission held a meeting to discuss all applications for solar farms within its boundaries. Close to 100 concerned residents attended this meeting. This particular application was discussed, as it was set for a hearing before the Will County Planning and Zoning Committee the following evening, November 7.
“On November 7, this application (ZC-23-073) of Surya’s for a Special Use Permit was heard by the Will County Planning and Zoning Committee,” Murday continued.
“The meeting was attended by more than 100 concerned residents of Green Garden Township. After the presentation of the applicants, the committee entertained public comment. Many residents and township officials expressed their opposition to the application. Concerns centered around the proximity to residential areas and corresponding impact on property values and aesthetics, the unknown environmental impact to the surrounding property and, most importantly, the failure to adhere to the Township Comprehensive Plan. 
“After hearing the passionate views of the residents and township officials, the committee voted unanimously (7-0) to deny the application for the Special Use Permit.”
Will County Board Chair Judy Ogalla said she will continue to oppose the state legislation that effectively ties county officials’ hands on the solar farm issue.
“As chair of the Will County Board, I’m working to build a coalition to get changes made to the poor legislation passed during the Lame Duck session this past January that took away a county’s authority to approve or deny a solar farm,” she said. “As long as the solar company has done what the state requires them to do per the state AIMA, agriculture impact mitigation agreement, it essentially requires us to NOT deny it. The Will County Board is looking to get changes made to that legislation.

“Please also contact the State Representative for Green Garden, Anthony DeLuca, (who) should be contacted and asked to support changes to the legislation.  And don’t forget your State Senator Patrick Joyce, as well.

“The solar farm in Green Garden was denied by the Planning and Zoning Commission,” she added. “The vote was unanimously ‘no’. It now moves to the (county) land use committee and then to the full Will County Board.”