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With legislation that ties the hands of county officials and bars them from denying solar projects that meet state regulations, Will County is moving full steam ahead with recently proposed solar developments.
On January 2, the Will County Land Use and Development Committee approved a 52-acre solar development proposed by New Lenox Community Energy Initiative and ECA Solar on a 168-acre parcel at the corner of Bruns Road and Harlem Avenue in Monee and a 25-acre development on a 50-acre parcel proposed by Summit Ridge Energy on Smith Road in Manhattan.
The Will County Board Land Use and Development Committee is chaired by Frankie Pretzel, R-New Lenox. It comprises Will County Board Members Sherry Newquist, D-Steger, Herbert Brooks Jr., D-Joliet, Dawn Bullock, D-Plainfield, Judy Ogalla, R-Monee, Denise Winfrey, D-Joliet, and Raquel Mitchell, R-Bolingbrook.
Newquist, Bullock, and Mitchell were absent from the January 2 meeting.
The Planning and Zoning Commission recommended the Land Use and Development Committee grant approval of the Bruns Road project under four conditions. The Planning and Zoning Commission also approved two variances related to the Bruns Road project that the Land Use and Development Committee does not review.
Two memos, with one letter of support and 10 objectors, attended the meeting held on December 17.
“What is your plan for the area in between? What I’ve seen, yeah they have these trees and bushes, but in between, it’s just weeds. So the bushes end up being overshadowed because the weeds grow up in between. What’s your plan for that?” Ogalla asked. She also brought up concerns about mesh fencing.
The representative advised that they would follow recommendations made by the Illinois Department of Agriculture and could do spot mowing in addition to contracting with a mowing company.
Ogalla said it would be the first solar farm she’s seen that would actually do it, if that happens.
The Smith Road solar project in Manhattan, which had gained approval for a special use permit for solar development on its 50-acre parcel, also faced similar questioning.
In this project, the developer intends to install solar panels on 26 of the 50 acres but is asking for a special use permit to apply to all 50 acres.
The committee noted the Village of Manhattan’s objection and Manhattan Township’s request for conditions. The conditions would require a Road Use Agreement involving Smith Road and widening the road, among other smaller items.
Pretzel asked what happens if designing or widening Smith Road ends up cost-prohibitive. Bridget Callahan, of Summit Ridge Energy, replied they are obtaining costs and waiting to receive the final cost proposal.
He also asked about a decommissioning bond, to which Callahan replied that the bond would be held with the county, and they are required to have one because of the prior agricultural use.
Callahan also explained they could mow and weed-whack right up to the fence, native pollinators would be planted, and the screening would follow the special requirements requested by Manhattan Township.
Ogalla and Pretzel both voted against the Manhattan solar project; Ogalla was the lone vote opposing the Monee development.
The committee also approved a special use permit for a 13-acre solar development planned in Joliet.
No one from the public attended the Land Use and Development Committee to speak on the solar projects. All advanced to the full county board.
Toward the end of the meeting, Will County Zoning Administrator Marguerite Kenney reviewed the status of Will County solar cases.
In 2024, the county had 24 submitted solar cases, and 14 were heard through the county board, which has the final review and issues approval or denial. Three solar projects were denied, and four were withdrawn because the application was incomplete after 60 days.
Seven solar zoning cases are currently in review with Land Use. Four are in the public hearing process, three were heard that day at the January 2 Land Use Committee meeting, and one will be going to the county board in February.
The total approved solar project acreage is approximately 1,046 acres and 131 megawatts.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
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