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FREEPORT, Ill. (WIFR) - A solar-friendly city, Freeport makes an agreement with Freeport Illinois Solar to keep the peace and quiet of a local neighborhood.
A year ago, Freeport Solar came to the Pretzel City asking for a permit that would allow the company to build a 2-megawatt solar facility on the South end of 18th Avenue. The city agreed, but with stipulations based on public input.
Townhall meetings revealed residents were concerned that not only would the solar farm be an eyesore, but would create unnecessary noise in an otherwise peaceful neighborhood. One resident living near the site even said he thought the facility was a joke.
Freeport communications director Bryan Bridge says the city is putting the voices of the community above any corporate entity. That’s why several stipulations have been put in place, including a landscape plan. Freeport Solar agreed to the creation of an arborvitae, or natural wall of trees and shrubbery. The five-foot-tall structure is meant to block both the noise and view of the facility to protect the peace of residents.
“It’s kind of like nicely shaped bushes that are spread apart and so it will look good, but it won’t be this absolute wall of green, but it will still block the sound the visual as well,” Bridge says.
Bridge explains Freeport Solar is in charge of funding the entire development and keeping up with the maintenance of the wall. He says no tax dollars will go toward any part of the project.
“We’re not just approving a permit and then saying “Yep, go ahead and tear up the land. There are many steps that need to be taken,” Bridge says. “And many details that need to be ironed out before large projects like these can even start to bring their vehicles in.”
City officials say other stipulations need to be met before any timeline for the solar facility can be established.
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