Foundry Works Energy Storage BESS
Description
Special exception approved for a battery energy storage facility with lithium iron phosphate batteries, NFPA 855 compliance, landscaped screening, and conditions on stormwater and containment. Construction could start spring 2027, pending site development plan approval.
Impact summary
Battery storage facility could be built on the site pending special exception approval; decommissioning rules may be tightened first.
Applicant
- Name
- Foundry Works Energy Storage (owner: Vancooker Family Limited Partnership)
- Address
- Approximately two-tenths mile east-north of East 181st Avenue (State Road 2), east side of Clay Street, Eagle Creek Township
At a glance
- Hearings
- 6
- Public comments
- 0
- Total mentions
- 6
Last vote · Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals
Discussed at 2 meetings in the last 60 days; most recently Oct 21, 2026.
Meeting timeline (6)
Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals - Oct 21, 2026
Special exception approved for a battery energy storage facility with lithium iron phosphate batteries, NFPA 855 compliance, landscaped screening, and conditions on stormwater and containment. Construction could start spring 2027, pending site development plan approval.
Lake County Plan Commission - Oct 21, 2026
Battery storage facility won a favorable BZA recommendation with tough new drainage, containment, and notification conditions.
Lake County Plan Commission - Sep 16, 2026
A 200-megawatt battery storage facility seeking a special exception; deferred a month for containment and drainage answers after extensive public testimony.
Lake County Board of Zoning Appeals - Sep 16, 2026
A battery energy storage special exception that got pushed to October 21, where the BZA will act if the Plan Commission forwards it.
Lake County Council - Jun 9, 2026
Agricultural land rezoned to commercial development for a battery energy storage system; follows the same special-exception path as data centers.
Lake County Plan Commission - May 20, 2026
A-1 to CD rezone for a battery storage yard within an approved solar footprint; favorable motion failed 4-3, forwarded with no recommendation.
Related issues (1)
We'll email you when it's on an upcoming agenda, when it's voted on and when its status changes, at most once a day.
The weekly brief for Lake County
What the council decided, in plain English — one email a week.
Free. Unsubscribe with one click any time. We never sell your email.