North Aurora to add zoning for solar, wind and energy storage ahead of June 1 state deadline

Village staff told trustees on April 20 that state law requires municipalities to permit commercial solar, wind and energy‑storage systems and that North Aurora must add definitions, allowable districts and use standards to its zoning code before June 1.

"State law now basically sets parameters for solar farms... starting June 1, some of that gets applied to municipalities," Nathan said, explaining that the village currently lacks definitions or designated zoning for commercial solar, wind and battery‑storage projects. Staff proposed listing wind energy as a special use in I‑districts (I‑1, I‑2) and permitting solar and energy storage in I‑3 and some ORI areas with a 50‑foot buffer yard consistent with state setbacks.

Staff noted that the county has begun filing special‑use applications for solar farms adjacent to village borders — including a recently notified project near Lake Run south of Tanner Trails — and that the village can provide technical‑committee feedback and, where appropriate, a consistent board resolution or mayoral letter expressing the municipality’s position.

Trustees discussed geographic constraints and the desire to limit these uses to industrial or already nonresidential districts. One trustee supported permitting them only in specific industrial districts to reduce the chance they’ll appear on large undeveloped parcels inside future residential growth areas.

Next steps: staff will place zoning language on the May 4 agenda to add definitions, permitted/special‑use districts and use standards and will draft a template resolution or mayoral letter the board can adapt to respond to county special‑use filings near village borders.