Overview:
A Special Use Permit revised to allow sheep and goats for grazing instead of mowing under solar field panels was approved by the Crete Village Board last week.
A Special Use Permit revised to allow sheep and goats for grazing instead of mowing under solar field panels was approved by the Crete Village Board last week.
The SUP for the Falconhead solar project got the greenlight from the board of trustees, although not in a unanimous vote.
According to the permit, the animals would be attended-to while on site and would last roughly five-seven days.
Proposed by Ironwood Renewables, its name apparently comes from its location near Falconhead Boulevard in Austin, Texas.
The project is south of Vincennes, south of Farm Street, and east of Sangamon Road.
The agrivoltaics would take place a few times a year, according to Village President Mark Wiater.
In another matter during the October 13 meeting, Police Chief Scott Pieritz told the board that CPD will be conducting annual sex offender registration checks per state statute prior to Halloween.
Pieritz noted the department received notice earlier this month that Gordon Krupa, 68, was residing on the 500 block of W. Exchange Street. Crete Police Detectives collaborated with the Travis County Sheriff’s Office in Texas to determine that Krupa was a lifetime Sex Offender Registrant.
“Krupa never registered as a Sex Offender with the Crete Police Department as required,” the police chief said.
“Krupa also was residing within 500 feet of Crete Park District – Willard Wood Park Center’s playground/property, (which is) prohibited by Illinois State Statute.
“Krupa was located at the residence and was placed into custody for the following offenses:
- Failure to Register, 730 ILCS 150/3 a Class 3 Felony.
- Sex Offender Residing Within 500 Feet of a Playground, 720 ILCS 5/11-9.3(b-10) a Class 4 Felony.”
“The Crete Police Department treats these matters very seriously and will be conducting annual sex offender registration checks, per state statute, prior to Halloween.”
All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty.
In other business, the board:
- Heard Village Clerk Karen Tellef report the Will County Forest Preserve District has acquired nearly 500 acres in Crete Township, its second-largest purchase in history, which will expand the Plum Creek Greenway.
- Heard a reminder that Halloween Trick-or-Treat hours will be 3 – 7 p.m, with adult supervision required between 6 and 7 p.m.
- Heard Chief Pieritz report about the successful Crete Community Clean Up and Faith in Action Day. “We had another great turnout,” he said. “There were around 130 registered volunteers, who came out to clean up Crete and provide handyman services. Thank you to everyone who volunteered, Trinity Lutheran Church with organizing the event, and the food provided by Aurelio’s Pizza Crete, Bambino’s Restaurant, and Smokey Jo’s. Be on the lookout for the next Clean Up and Faith in Action Day this coming spring!”
- Learned that Crete Police Officers Lowry, Rodriguez, and Stokes were recognized formally for their enforcement efforts last year, by the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists (AAIM). They were the top three DUI arresting officers for the department.
- Heard that collaborations between Robin Tobias, EMA, the fire department, and police department have allowed extra presence at the CMHS football games, and that the games have “gone well.”