Madison County Board Votes Against Solar Energy Facility Near Granite City

GRANITE CITY - The Madison County Board has voted to block a Commercial Solar Energy Facility from building near Granite City.

During their regular meeting on March 18, 2026, the Madison County Board was asked to approve a Special Use Permit for Arena Libra Solar, LLC, to develop a Commercial Solar Energy Facility in an Agricultural District in Nameoki Township near Granite City. Last month, the Board voted 21–1 to postpone this vote until they could learn more.

The Madison County Zoning Board of Appeals recommended that the Special Use Permit be denied. The Building and Zoning Committee, however, recommended that the permit be approved with conditions.

As part of these conditions, the applicant was asked to have a modified setback of 200 feet to adjacent residential homes as well as a modified tree line buffer. The company also needs to provide a decommissioning bond prior to beginning construction, and they will make a donation of $100,000 to contribute to the county’s “welfare and betterment.”

During the public comment portion of the meeting, one person spoke against the project while two individuals commented as representatives of Arena Libra Solar.

County Board member Denise Wiehardt, who represents this area, expressed concerns about the project. She noted that the facility would be built in a flood zone and a residential area, and residents want a more specific plan regarding how the water runoff will drain from the land.

Wiehardt added that the subdivision has a detention pond to store extra water, but she said the engineers did not account for a solar project with runoff when they designed this pond. She also pointed out that the facility is 200 feet from the nearest homes

“People trust that we, as elected officials, will serve in their best interests. Our job is to represent them,” Wiehardt said. “I think that the residents have the right to have their voice heard, and that's what I’m doing here tonight.”

Board member Dalton Gray asked Chris Doucleff, the Building and Zoning Department Administrator, if the drainage issue was discussed during the Zoning Board of Appeals meeting.

Doucleff responded that the ZBA did have this conversation and felt that the project would actually lessen the flooding chances compared to crops growing there because the solar panels will move with the sun, therefore not leaving ruts in the ground so the rainwater will be evenly distributed.

Member Bynn Kincheloe asked about the proximity of the proposed facility to an archaeological site. Doucleff explained that the architectural artifacts would be addressed after the special use permit is approved as part of the building permit process.

Member Bill Stoutenborough said his “heart goes out to the people who will be affected.” He acknowledged that the State of Illinois has laws about how counties must grant permits to solar facilities. He urged people to express their dissatisfaction to their state legislators and added that he sees no other choice than to vote in favor of granting the permit.

“Right now, there’s a law on the books that says we are to do something. If we don’t do it, we’ll be sued. If we do do it, we’ll be disloyal to our constituents,” he said. “We need to get that changed, or else we’re going to be sitting here forever deciding whether or not to grant a permit as required by law or not to grant it.”

The vote ultimately failed, which triggered applause from the crowd. After the vote, Board Chairman Chris Slusser encouraged the Board members to lobby state legislators in Springfield on April 14 and 15, 2026.

More like this:

Madison County Board Postpones Vote on Solar Energy Facility Near Granite City

Feb 19, 2026

Madison County Board Approves Key Appointments and Zoning Measures

Apr 15, 2026

Tied Vote: Madison County Does Not Approve Moro Solar Project

Dec 18, 2025

Madison County Board Rejects Apollo Properties Rezoning Request

Apr 15, 2026

Ventura, Didech, Other Illinois Lawmakers, Push for Plug-In Illinois Act to Expand Balcony Solar

Mar 28, 2026