Planning Commission Backs 5-MW Peotone Solar Farm; Developer Pledges Pollinator Habitat and Community Funds

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | February 17, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously recommended approval for a new 5-megawatt commercial solar farm in Will Township near Peotone, which includes a $200,000 community donation budget and pollinator-friendly landscaping. The project, developed by Cenergy Power, will now advance to the Will County Board for final approval.

Will Township Solar Farm Key Points:

• Location: 5949 W. Eagle Lake Road, Peotone (Will Township).

• Project Size: A 5-megawatt (AC) facility featuring approximately 9,800 solar panels on roughly 53 acres.

• Economic Impact: The developer pledged a $200,000 budget for local community donations and estimated $20,000 to $25,000 in annual tax revenue for the county.

• Variances Approved: The commission approved allowing ground cover to grow up to 36 inches (up from 13 inches) and reducing mandatory mowing to twice a year to support pollinator habitats.

JOLIET, IL – The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, voted 4-0 to recommend approval of a Special Use Permit for a new commercial solar energy facility in Will Township, located within the ultimate footprint of the South Suburban Airport.

The proposal, known as the BAP Kwain Solar Project, is located at 5949 W. Eagle Lake Road in Peotone. The application was filed by the Helen A. Stumbris Land Trust, with George Kwain listed as the sole beneficiary, and Cenergy Power acting as the developer.

According to the staff report and presentation, the 5-megawatt facility will occupy approximately 53 acres of an 80.65-acre parcel. The site will utilize roughly 9,800 solar panels mounted on a single-axis tracking system that follows the sun from east to west.

Chad Chahbazi, co-founder of Cenergy Power, presented the project to the commission, highlighting the company’s history of developing projects near aviation hubs.

“We actually developed several next to airports including here in Illinois,” Chahbazi said, citing projects near the Rockford and Pontiac airports. “This project is part of the community solar program called Illinois Shines… construction is expected to take approximately six months.”

Variances for Pollinators
In addition to the Special Use Permit, the commission approved two specific variances regarding site maintenance: increasing the maximum ground cover plant height from 13 inches to 36 inches, and reducing the required mowing frequency from five times to two times per year.

Chahbazi explained that these variances are necessary to establish a “pollinator-friendly” habitat using native Illinois deep-root systems.

“These sites are compatible. We use a pollinator-friendly seed mix where it’s basically a meadowed habitat once the project’s built,” Chahbazi told the commission. “The quietest neighbor you’ll have other than a cemetery.”

County Staff member Jesus Briseno confirmed that the Illinois Department of Natural Resources encourages such facilities to participate in the “Pollinator Friendly Solar Site Scorecard” program.

Public Opposition and Support
The hearing drew comments from both opposition and the property owner.

Lester Batterman, a local farmer residing on Eagle Lake Road, voiced concern over the changing character of the area, specifically citing the deterioration of properties acquired by the state for the South Suburban Airport.

“As a local farmer… I’m opposed to losing more farm ground to more projects like this,” Batterman said. “Our neighborhood keeps looking more desolate… We have weeds growing everywhere. We got trees falling down which just brings in more people to drop off their trash.”

Batterman argued against the mowing variances, fearing the site would become an eyesore. “I know I can’t stop this project, but I would like to put my support in and not pass any of the two variances… to keep our neighborhood at least looking decent.”

George Kwain, the property owner, rebutted these concerns, arguing that the solar project would act as a preservation method for the soil compared to traditional farming or residential development.

“The land becomes better after 20 years of being instead of having tillage… you’ve got a cover crop, the ground will be better,” Kwain said. “If that’s needed, the project can be pulled out, you’ve got perfectly even better farmland than when you started.”

Economic Benefits and Aviation Safety
Chahbazi outlined the economic benefits, stating the project would generate between $20,000 and $25,000 annually in property taxes. Additionally, Cenergy Power has budgeted $200,000 for donations to local community stakeholders.

Addressing safety concerns regarding the nearby Bult Field Airport, the application included a glare study conducted by Barrett Energy Resources Group. The study predicted “green” glare—the lowest intensity—for pilots landing on Runway 27 for approximately 128 minutes per year. The report noted that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) considers green glare to be insignificant and safe for pilots.

Acting Chairman John Kiefner questioned the developer on the “green glare” findings and the long-term maintenance of the site. Chahbazi assured the board that Cenergy manages its sites with regular inspections and maintains a decommissioning bond to ensure the site is cleared at the end of its life.

The Special Use Permit and the variances were approved by Commissioners Kiefner, Roger Bettenhausen, Karen Warrick, and Lewis in a 4-0 vote.