Solar farms, DEI and other topics gain attention in McHenry County’s 2050 comprehensive plan – Shaw Local Government

McHenry County could soon have a new comprehensive plan for 2050 that, while non-binding, covers controversial topics like diversity, equity and inclusion, as well as solar farms.

The plan is intended to guide officials in decision-making and touches on issues such as natural resource conservation, transportation and land use.

Officials reviewed the plan at a recent public hearing and highlighted the following three topics: sustainability; public health and well-being; and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The plan focuses on unincorporated areas of the county and states that while the county cannot govern municipalities, it should cooperate with towns and municipalities on land use.

One of the concepts mentioned is the “15-minute city”, based on the assumption that people can get to what they need every day within a 15-minute walk from their place of residence. Mary Donner, chairwoman of the Regional Planning Commission that developed the plan, suggested changing its name to 15-Minute Neighborhood or Community, which appeared in the draft plan.

Other issues addressed in the plan include solar farms and electric vehicles. Solar farms have been a hot topic on the County Board, with some Board members expressing frustration with solar farms, feeling like their hands are tied in approving them based on current Illinois law.

The plan includes the topic “Promoting the smart development of solar energy.” According to the draft plan, some of the recommendations outlined in this section include wildlife-friendly fencing and stormwater runoff management during and after solar farm construction. It also advises that “the district should employ industry best practices, with particular emphasis on agrivoltaics.” According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s website, agrivoltaics is “agricultural production, such as crop production, animal husbandry, or pollinator habitats, conducted under or adjacent to solar panels.”

Another part of the 2050 plan encourages the county to embrace solar energy through the use of local solar gardens and agrivoltaics.

The county is examining a separate 2050 transportation plan, but the comprehensive plan also includes transportation issues mentioned in the plan, such as road expansion.

Some of the car goals include “encouraging the development of roundabouts” and improving intersection safety, but the comprehensive plan also outlines steps officials should take to expand public transportation options and reduce reliance on cars.

Some transportation topics are issues that are just beginning to emerge. The plan suggests that McHenry County should try to promote the use of electric vehicles by encouraging more charging stations, noting that there are more charging stations but they may not be installed quickly enough. He also encourages the county to consider services like ZipCar to alleviate some of the need for parking lots to provide rental cars to run errands for a few hours or for a day trip.

Some transportation topics are issues that are just beginning to emerge. The plan suggests that McHenry County should try to promote the use of electric vehicles by encouraging more charging stations, given that there are more charging stations but they may not be installed quickly enough. It also encourages the county to consider services like ZipCar — which is designed to allow people to rent cars for business purposes for a few hours or for a day trip — to reduce some of the need for parking spaces.

The Regional Planning Commission sent the plan to the County Board for further review and adoption. The County Board may make corrections. Officials expect the plan to go to the County Board next month.

The concept of diversity, equity and inclusion has been a source of controversy within the board, even though McHenry County’s current strategic plan sets a goal of encouraging diversity and “inclusiveness” in the county.

The paragraph referring to the theme chosen by the National Alliance for Women’s History as “women advocating for equality, diversity and inclusion” was originally included in the March Women’s History Month proclamation. The proclamation passed despite removing the reference to DEI, but a majority of Democratic board members opposed removing the paragraph. County Board Chairman Mike Buehler later told the Northwest Herald that he didn’t think the DEI reference was appropriate.

Several public commenters at a recent public hearing expressed their opposition to this concept.

Commentator Kirk Donald said he liked the idea of ​​the plan “to give renewable energy sources a chance to advance technologically.” But Donald disagreed with the DEI language.

“Drop the term DEI,” Donald said. “For conservative people like me, I find the term offensive given the current cultural connotations.”

Donald also said that “the plan requires a lot of government involvement.”

The Regional Planning Commission, which meets only when comprehensive plans are being developed, has decided to send the plan to the County Board, according to the county’s website.

Officials said during the public hearing that the plan will go before the Planning, Environment and Development Commission in early June and then before the full County Board later in the month.