Manhattan Township Residents, Officials Mobilize Against Proposed EarthRise Solar Farm

Manhattan Township Meeting | February 10, 2026

Article Summary: Manhattan Township residents and the Green Garden Watershed Committee are organizing opposition to a massive proposed EarthRise solar farm, prompting the Township Board to hire an outside consultant to help navigate the influx of large-scale industrial projects.

Manhattan Township Solar Opposition Key Points:

• Tom Becker, Chairman of the Green Garden Watershed Committee, presented concerns over the proposed EarthRise solar facility, citing the loss of prime farmland and threats to the area’s rural quality of life.

• Becker noted that two-thirds of the landowners selling or leasing to EarthRise are corporations or non-resident owners.

• Nine residents spoke during public comment to formally oppose the solar development.

• The Board unanimously voted to hire a consultant to assist the township in managing large-scale solar and data center developments.

The Manhattan Township Board of Trustees on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, heard overwhelming community opposition to a proposed EarthRise solar farm, prompting officials to unanimously hire an outside consultant to help navigate a growing wave of industrial developments targeting the area.

The meeting’s focal point was a presentation by Tom Becker, Chairman of the Green Garden Watershed Committee. Becker detailed his organization’s mission to protect the region’s rural quality of life, arguing that the proposed EarthRise solar farm poses significant concerns due to its massive scale and the permanent loss of prime agricultural farmland.

During his presentation, Becker shared a stark demographic metric regarding the land acquisition: two-thirds of the landowners who have leased or sold their property to EarthRise are either corporations or non-resident owners, rather than local citizens.

To combat the development, Becker outlined several avenues for public involvement. He urged residents to sign the committee’s online petition, participate in a letter-writing campaign aimed at county and state officials, and display yard signs to raise local awareness.

Becker also addressed the legal landscape, noting that a new state statute limits county authority over renewable energy projects. He suggested that challenging this statute, or exploring incorporation into a rural district, represent potential strategies to prevent unwanted industrial development.

The presentation resonated heavily with the audience. During the public comment period, nine different residents spoke to express their direct concerns about EarthRise coming to Manhattan Township and to ask Becker follow-up questions regarding the Green Garden Watershed Committee’s ongoing efforts.

In direct response to the community’s concerns and the complexity of these regional land use issues, the Manhattan Township Board took legislative action later in the meeting. Noting the “numerous solar farm and data center developments that are becoming prevalent in our area,” Trustee William “Bill” McGrath made a motion to formally hire a consultant.

The consultant will be tasked with assisting Manhattan Township with the planning and management of these large-scale projects. Trustee Paul Woodcock seconded the motion, which was passed unanimously by the board.

Meeting Summary and Briefs:

The Manhattan Township Board of Trustees met for an hour and 19 minutes on Tuesday evening, focusing heavily on rural preservation, zoning variances, and land use applications. Alongside an extensive presentation opposing the EarthRise solar development and the hiring of a project consultant, the board reviewed two specific Will County land use requests and received an update on an impending state grant reimbursement. All board members were present for the meeting, and all financial actions passed unanimously. Supervisor James F. Walsh called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m., and the board adjourned at 8:19 p.m.

Board Reviews Baker Road Accessory Building Variance
The board reviewed Will County Land Use Application ZC-20-002 (V-26-006 & V-26-007) concerning a property located at 12517 W. Baker Rd. in Manhattan. The resident submitted an application requesting a variance to build an addition onto an existing accessory building. During the review, Supervisor James F. Walsh informed the board that he had spoken directly with the neighbor who could be visually or spatially affected by the addition, and confirmed that the neighbor had no issue with the proposed construction.

Haley Road Property Split Meets County Requirements
Trustees discussed a Will County Land Use Pre-Application regarding a property located at the corner of Haley Road and Schoolhouse Road. According to the agenda packet and minutes, the applicant is seeking to split two 5-acre lots into four 2.5-acre lots. The board noted that because the property is currently zoned E2, the proposed division already meets all Will County requirements for the split.

State Grant Funding Expected in Weeks
Clerk Kelly Baltas reported that she has successfully submitted the Periodic Financial Report and Periodic Performance Report required for the township’s Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) grant. The state grant manager has received and reviewed the documents. Baltas informed the board that the township can expect to receive its grant funding in three to four weeks. Additionally, Baltas asked the board for submissions for the Village newsletter, noting she will be writing an article to discuss SB25.

Monthly Finances Approved
The board unanimously approved the monthly financial expenditures for the township’s primary departments. Trustee Paul Woodcock motioned to accept the Supervisor’s expenses, Trustee Mark Yunker motioned to approve the Highway Commissioner’s expenses, and Trustee William “Bill” McGrath motioned to accept the Assessor’s January expenses. All three motions were seconded and passed unanimously. During her departmental update, Assessor Kristen Blaser noted that she included information about the Senior Freeze property tax exemption program in the Village newsletter.