The McCook County Commission on Tuesday unanimously approved a conditional use permit for a $165 million solar farm. National Grid Renewables applied for the permit for the project, which would consist of a field of 99 megawatts of solar energy panels on 735 acres of land south of Canistota Township. Those opposed to the project have cited safety, damage to land, property value reductions, and the overall impact on the quality of life. The commission also added several conditions including having drainage permits secured, setback waivers signed from residences and commercial businesses within a half-mile, increasing the right-of-way setback to 100 feet, the addition of natural screening planted around the perimeter, an emergency response plan, building permits to be seen by the planning commission prior to zoning administrator review, road agreements with the DOT, and an independent traffic study.