CARBONDALE, IL. (WJPF) – The Carbondale City Council has voted unanimously to deny a permit that would allow a solar farm to be built on the city’s northeast side.

The special use permit, sought by Brightfields Development, was the first step in building a solar array on the site of what used to be Kopper’s Wood Treatment Plant.

Residents near the property were largely against any development, fearing that construction on the site would release toxic chemicals in the ground.