Manhattan Township

Manhattan Township to Review Solar Farm Proposal at Special Meeting

Spread the love

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.

Latest News Stories

Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Will County Committee Approves Rezoning, Denies Landfill Permit for Former Joliet Beach Club Site

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday narrowly approved rezoning the former Joliet Beach...
FAA returns to normal operations after shutdown, launches probe

FAA returns to normal operations after shutdown, launches probe

By Brett RowlandThe Center Square The Federal Aviation Administration's emergency flight reductions ended Monday after Congress passed legislation funding the federal government last week, but the agency said it would...
Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit

Illinois truckers back federal pause on non-domiciled CDLs, hope state follows suit

By Catrina Baker | The Center Square contributorThe Center Square (The Center Square) – Illinois truckers are applauding a federal rule and hope the state enforces a pause on non-domiciled...
WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized

WATCH: DCFS updates missing children numbers; Budget cuts EO transparency criticized

By Greg Bishop | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – In today's edition of Illinois in Focus Daily, The Center Square Editor Greg Bishop shares the latest...
Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

Supreme Court declines to hear public prayer case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court declined to decide a case about public prayer in Florida. The case, Cambridge Christian School v. Florida High School Athletic Association,...
Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

Supreme Court to decide immigration asylum case

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court will decide a case that would determine at what point an individual seeking asylum "arrives" in the United States. The Trump...
Illinois quick hits: Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President's office

Illinois quick hits: Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President’s office

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square Armed robbery charges after incident at Senate President's office A Chicago man has been charged with armed robbery after an incident...
Michigan school board passes controversial sex ed policies

Michigan school board passes controversial sex ed policies

By Elyse ApelThe Center Square After weeks of public backlash, the Michigan Board of Education officially moved forward to adopt controversial new Michigan Health Education Standards Framework. The newly-adopted standards...
Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

Everyday Economics: Jobs data returns as government reopens

By Orphe DivounguyThe Center Square With the government shutdown finally over, this week brings a double dose of good news: federal workers start receiving paychecks again, and economic data collection...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for November 6, 2025

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 The Will County Land Use and Development Committee navigated a series of contentious zoning cases on Thursday, November...
Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.2

Committee Rejects Rezoning for Fencing Company in Joliet Township

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025 Article Summary: Citing incompatibility with the surrounding residential neighborhood, the Will County Land Use and Development Committee unanimously denied...
Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

Supreme Court case could have major effect on 2026 midterms

By Andrew RiceThe Center Square The U.S. Supreme Court has agreed to take up a case that could have an effect on the 2026 midterm elections. The case, Watson v....
Manhattan School 114 Graphic.2

In Month of ‘Tragic Loss,’ Manhattan School District Mourns Students and Former Board Member

Manhattan School District 114 Meeting | November 12, 2025 Article Summary:Manhattan School District 114 is grieving the recent deaths of two junior high students, Danny Bayles and Chance Hunnicutt, and...
Screenshot 2025-11-05 at 4.02.49 PM

County Sales Tax Revenues Strong, Cannabis Funds Dispersed to Community Programs

Will County Finance Committee Meeting | November 2025 Article Summary: Will County's key sales tax revenues are on track to meet or exceed budget projections for fiscal year 2025, though...
Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

Illinois sports wagers decline after implementation of new tax

By Jim Talamonti | The Center SquareThe Center Square (The Center Square) – The Illinois Gaming Board has reported a 15% drop in September sports betting, after the state imposed...