Title
Discussion on proposed text amendments to the Unified Development Ordinance of Lake County, Illinois (Chapter 151 of the Lake County, Illinois Code of Ordinances) relating to solar energy systems.
Staff Summary
• Planning, Building and Development staff coordinated a regional Solar Energy Task Force in spring 2019 which developed a best practice-based solar model zoning ordinance for Lake County communities to use as a template in developing their own solar-specific zoning regulations.
• Based upon the Task Force’s model ordinance, staff drafted a set of corresponding Unified Development Ordinance (UDO) amendments.
• Following staff’s completion of the draft amendments, the Lake County Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) conducted a public hearing on July 23, 2019 to consider the proposed text amendments. Upon conclusion of the public hearing, the ZBA recommended adoption of the amendments with limited recommended edits to the text.
• Staff will present the details on the proposed amendments, including recommendations from the ZBA, for Committee discussion prior to bringing the amendments back for Committee action.