County Board Approves Two Commercial Solar Projects Despite Farmland Concerns

The Will County Board approved special use permits for two commercial solar energy facilities during Thursday’s meeting despite concerns about the loss of agricultural land and opposition from at least one township.

The board voted 13-9 to approve a special use permit for Jacob O Farms LLC for a solar facility near the northeast corner of LaGrange Road and West Manhattan-Monee Road in Green Garden Township. A second permit for a facility at 5949 West Eagle Lake Road in Peotone was approved by a 12-10 vote.

Both projects included variances for maximum ground cover plant height from 13 to 36 inches and reducing the number of required mowings annually.

Board member Judy Ogala voted against the Peotone project, citing opposition from Will Township officials and concerns about agricultural land preservation.

“Will Township has gone on record in being opposed to solar in this area of the township due to their long-range plans of this area remaining agriculture,” Ogala said. “Between warehouses, new developments, subdivisions, and solar facilities, we’re losing acres every single day, every single month.”

Ogala suggested the county needs to advocate for state assistance with farmland preservation or funding mechanisms to offset the impact of taking farmland out of agricultural production for 30 to 40 years.

“We may not think so now, but someone of our generation will be saying, ‘What were they thinking back then?'” she said.

The Land Use and Development Committee had previously approved both projects with conditions, and the Planning and Zoning Commission had also recommended approval.

The solar projects are part of a growing trend in Will County, where multiple solar facilities have been approved in recent years as part of Illinois’ push toward renewable energy development.

Both facilities will include landscape buffers and must comply with county regulations regarding decommissioning and site restoration after their operational lifespan. The special use permits include four conditions each to ensure compliance with county standards.

The board also approved a first extension of a special use permit for The Wild Flower Farm LLC in Green Garden Township, giving the applicant additional time to complete their project under an earlier approval.