Manhattan Township to Review Solar Farm Proposal at Special Meeting

Manhattan Township will host a special meeting Jan. 28 to review a proposed solar farm development at the corner of Cherry Hill and Manhattan roads.

Soltage Renewable Energy Provider has applied for a special use permit with Will County Land Use to develop the solar installation, Manhattan Township Supervisor James F. Walsh announced during the township’s monthly meeting Tuesday.

“The board should host a special call meeting to invite the developer to present its plans and in turn, the Township can provide the developer with our list of requirements,” Walsh told trustees during the Jan. 14 meeting at Manhattan Township Community Building.

The 7 p.m. meeting will give township officials the opportunity to hear details about the project and share the township’s requirements with the developer before the county’s land use review process continues.

Solar farm developments have become increasingly common in rural Will County areas as renewable energy companies seek large tracts of open land for installations. Township input during the county permitting process allows local officials to address concerns about traffic, construction impacts, and long-term land use.

The proposed location sits at a prominent intersection in the township, making community input particularly important for the development review.

Township trustees Paul Woodcock, Bill McGrath and Mark Yunker were present for Tuesday’s meeting, while Trustee Eileen Fitzer was absent. The board unanimously supported Walsh’s recommendation to schedule the special meeting.

Other township business conducted Tuesday included approval of the 2025-2026 assessor’s budget and routine financial matters. Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas reported that a new township truck has arrived and that he will attend a pre-construction meeting Jan. 24 for the Baker Road Bridge Project.

The Jan. 28 special meeting is open to the public and will be held at 7 p.m. at the Manhattan Township Community Building.