OREGON — The Ogle County Board on Tuesday covered a full agenda that included budget updates, facility repairs, property discussions, vehicle purchases and zoning decisions.
Members received reports on capital projects, including roof inspections and basement repairs at county facilities. They also reviewed architectural drawings for a proposed memorial plaza on the old jail lot south of the courthouse in Rochelle. The project, designed by Larson and Darby, features a circular layout that connects to an existing memorial and could be built in three phases to reduce costs, with sponsored bricks helping to support fundraising.
The committee also approved using opioid settlement funds to cover the $54,000 cost of a Chevrolet Tahoe purchased by Sheriff Brian VanVickle to replace a 2009 truck damaged in a recent interstate crash. The cost does not include equipment for the vehicle and is separate from insurance money for the wrecked truck. Two other sheriff’s office vehicles are expected to be funded by a DCFS grant in September, while another is set to be paid for with proceeds from county property sales.
Land use matters made up a large portion of the meeting. The board unanimously rejected two community solar farm proposals after lengthy zoning hearings and opposition from residents. USS Stillman Creek Solar, LLC sought approval to build a 5-megawatt project on about 26 acres near North Stillman Road in Scott and Marion townships, but residents raised concerns about property values, drainage and farmland use. A similar proposal from BAP Power Corp, doing business as Cenergy Power, was denied for a site on Hales Corner Road in Scott Township after residents said the project would harm farmland and neighboring homes. In both cases, the Zoning Board of Appeals recommended denial after finding the projects failed to meet county standards.
While the solar projects were rejected, the board approved a rezoning request from Constellation Energy Generation, LLC for about 185 acres on North Black Walnut Road in Marion Township. The land, previously zoned for agriculture, will now be classified for industrial use, with the change passing on a 16-5 vote. The rezoning clears the way for potential industrial development, with the board finding the project met county standards for compatibility with nearby land use, services and long-term planning.