Manhattan Township to Set Solar Farm Rules Amid Concerns with Area Projects

Manhattan Township Meeting | September 9, 2025

Article Summary: Manhattan Township will hold a special meeting to establish guidelines for solar energy facilities after officials reported significant construction-related problems at two large solar farms in the region. The township is withholding a permit for one project over road grade disputes and observed that another site is “a mess from construction.”

Manhattan Solar Farm Issues Key Points:

• A special meeting is set for September 23, 2025, to approve a resolution establishing requirements for solar energy facilities in the township.

• The township is not issuing an entrance permit for the Gougar Road Solar Farm until the developer receives approval on road grades from the Highway Commissioner.

• After investigating a 900-acre solar farm in Norman Township, officials reported the area is “a mess” and the local township is having issues with trucks and employees.

• The township’s attorney has reviewed the proposed solar resolution and found no reason for the board not to approve it.

MANHATTAN, IL – Citing problems at nearby solar energy projects, the Manhattan Township Board on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, announced it will hold a special meeting to formalize its own rules for solar farm development.

Supervisor Jim Walsh reported that the township’s attorney has reviewed a proposed resolution that would set forth guidelines and requirements for solar energy facilities. A special meeting will be held on Tuesday, September 23, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. at the Manhattan Township Hall to vote on the measure.

The move comes as township officials are dealing with issues related to two other large-scale solar projects.

For the Gougar Road Solar Farm, Highway Commissioner Jim Baltas reported he spoke with Will County Land Use about withholding a “green sticker” or entrance permit for the company. The permit will not be issued until the Township Road District signs off on road grades. According to the minutes, Gougar Road must be returned to the same grade it was prior to construction.

Additionally, Supervisor Walsh and Commissioner Baltas recently investigated a 900-acre solar farm under construction in Norman Township, just south of Morris. They stated that “the area is a mess from construction” and that Norman Township has been experiencing issues with trucks and employees traveling to and from the massive job site.