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-Public-Health-Safety-Committee-Meeting-July-3-2025

Health Department May Seek Property Tax Increase to Maintain Critical Services

The Will County Health Department is grappling with significant budget shortfalls as multiple federal grants have been terminated or reduced, potentially forcing the agency to seek additional property tax revenue...
Will-County-Land-Use-July-3.1

Crete Township Solar Project Approved Despite Township Objections

A 21-acre commercial solar project in Crete Township received a favorable recommendation from the Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday, despite an official objection from the township....
Will-County-Public-Health-Safety-Committee-Meeting-July-3-2025

Health Department Opens Second Breast Milk Depot in Bolingbrook

The Will County Health Department has opened its second breast milk depot in partnership with Mother's Milk Bank of the Western Great Lakes, expanding access to donated breast milk for...
Will-County-Land-Use-July3.2

Lockport Township Solar Farm Gains Committee Approval

The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday approved a special use permit for a 25-acre commercial solar energy facility in Lockport Township. The project, proposed by Daniel...
Will-County-Public-Health-Safety-Committee-Meeting-July-3-2025

Health Department Plans Back-to-School Fair July 12

The Will County Health Department will host a Back-to-School Health Fair Saturday, July 12, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Community Health Center, 1106 Neal Ave., Joliet. The...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for July 3, 2025

Green Garden Township Rezoning for Future Subdivision ApprovedThe committee recommended approval of a map amendment for an 81-acre property on South 88th Avenue in Green Garden Township. The applicant, represented...
Meeting Briefs

Will County Public Health & Safety Committee July 3 Meeting Briefs

Grain Dust Complaint Prompts Investigation: Will County resident Tracy Henning of unincorporated Peotone addressed the committee about health problems she attributes to grain dust from a neighboring facility. Henning, who...
Will-County-Legislative-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Will County Seeks Asian Carp Provision in Federal Legislative Agenda

Will County Board member Julie Berkowicz is pushing to add specific language addressing Asian carp invasion to the county's federal legislative agenda, citing the ongoing threat to local waterways as...
MH VB 7-1

Manhattan awards $1.9M contract for Eastern Avenue rebuild

The Village of Manhattan Board approved a $1.94 million contract with PT Ferrell Construction for the reconstruction of Eastern Avenue from North Street to Smith Road during their July 1...
Will-County-Legislative-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

State Legislative Session Update: Transit, Energy Bills Stall Despite Democratic Control

Illinois lawmakers failed to advance major transit funding and comprehensive energy legislation during the recently concluded spring session, leaving key issues unresolved despite Democratic supermajorities in both chambers, according to...
Will-County-Capital-Improvements-IT-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

Will County’s Major Capital Projects Hit Key Milestones, VAC Buildout on “Aggressive Schedule”

Will County is making significant headway on several major capital improvement projects, with the new Veterans Assistance Commission (VAC) & Support Center in Joliet on an “aggressive schedule” for a...
Will-County-Public-Works-Transportation-Committee-Meeting-July-1-2025

County Board Approves 2026-2031 Transportation Plan Despite Project Opposition

Will County board members approved a contested five-year transportation improvement plan Tuesday after heated debate over a controversial Homer Glen road project that has drawn sustained community opposition. The Will...
Will-County-Planning-and-Zoning-Commission-Meeting-July-1-2025

Contentious I-3 Rezoning for DuPage Township Storage Yard Narrowly Advances

A proposal to rezone a 20-acre parcel in DuPage Township from agricultural to the county's most intensive industrial classification narrowly earned a recommendation for approval from the Will County Planning...
MH VB 7-1

Manhattan modernizes investment policies, check-signing procedures

The Manhattan Village Board approved three separate ordinances and resolutions Tuesday night to update the village's financial management policies and bring them in line with current best practices. The board...
Meeting Briefs

Will County Legislative Committee July 1 Meeting Briefs

Federal Budget Impact: Will County could face significant funding challenges if federal budget reconciliation measures reduce Medicaid and SNAP benefits. The county health department and social services rely heavily on...