ZBA approves special exception for rooftop community solar at CubeSmart site
December 19, 2025 | Joliet, Will County, Illinois
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The Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals approved petition 202558, a special exception requested by Solar Landscape to permit a roof‑mounted community solar installation across a 14‑building CubeSmart self‑storage complex in the Oak Leaf Center area.
Staff explained that community solar is treated as a principal use because it supplies power to the grid for off‑site subscribers and therefore requires a special exception. Staff reported the site is 4.7 acres, zoned I‑1 light industrial, and bordered by industrial and commercial uses; staff recommended approval and noted the rooftop panels would be low‑profile (panels rising about 10 inches above the roof) and largely invisible from the street. The project would interconnect with ComEd and subscribers within Will County could receive bill credits.
Mary Marshall of Solar Landscape presented the project, described the company’s experience with community solar and Illinois’ 'Illinois Shines' program (part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act), and explained the subscriber model under which customers receive credits on their utility bills. Marshall said subscribers could see a roughly 10% discount on their electricity bills after the project energizes and outlined a construction timeline beginning May 2026 and reaching permission to operate by September 2026, subject to inspections and ComEd interconnection.
Board members confirmed Solar Landscape does not sell electricity directly to customers (power flows into ComEd’s grid and bill credits are applied through the utility), and the company represented that it will obtain building permits, third‑party structural reviews and a lease with the property owner and will remove equipment at project end. After questions, the board moved, seconded and voted to approve the special exception by roll call.
Next steps: the petitioner must secure building permits, finalize interconnection with ComEd and comply with lease and decommissioning obligations described in testimony.
Staff explained that community solar is treated as a principal use because it supplies power to the grid for off‑site subscribers and therefore requires a special exception. Staff reported the site is 4.7 acres, zoned I‑1 light industrial, and bordered by industrial and commercial uses; staff recommended approval and noted the rooftop panels would be low‑profile (panels rising about 10 inches above the roof) and largely invisible from the street. The project would interconnect with ComEd and subscribers within Will County could receive bill credits.
Mary Marshall of Solar Landscape presented the project, described the company’s experience with community solar and Illinois’ 'Illinois Shines' program (part of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act), and explained the subscriber model under which customers receive credits on their utility bills. Marshall said subscribers could see a roughly 10% discount on their electricity bills after the project energizes and outlined a construction timeline beginning May 2026 and reaching permission to operate by September 2026, subject to inspections and ComEd interconnection.
Board members confirmed Solar Landscape does not sell electricity directly to customers (power flows into ComEd’s grid and bill credits are applied through the utility), and the company represented that it will obtain building permits, third‑party structural reviews and a lease with the property owner and will remove equipment at project end. After questions, the board moved, seconded and voted to approve the special exception by roll call.
Next steps: the petitioner must secure building permits, finalize interconnection with ComEd and comply with lease and decommissioning obligations described in testimony.
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