Prairie Flats solar farm has submitted its application to DeWitt County and is ready to begin the process of seeking approval for a special use permit.
At the June DeWitt County Board meeting, Elizabeth Weikle, County Zoning Administrator, told the Board they have 60 days upon receipt of the SUP fee to conduct the hearings for the application.
Board Chair Joe Witte indicates the full board will hear the testimony from the developer and the public during this process, eliminating the need to send it to the Regional Planning Commission and the Zoning Board of Appeals.
State's Attorney Dan Markwell will serve as the mediator of the hearing.
Prairie Flats and their representation have limited availability in the 60-day window to have the hearings. Weikle (pictured left) indicates it was tough to settle on a date, but Witte says there are exemptions to make sure the hearings are able to be completed outside the 60-day window.
Markwell offered his recommendation on how to conduct the hearing, given this will be the first time the full board hears the presentation and testimony rather than the process of the application going through the ZBA and RPC.
The Board set Aug. 12 as the first night of the hearings. Weikle anticipates multiple applications coming very soon to the County for more solar development.
