The Will County Land Use and Development Committee recommended denial for two controversial commercial solar energy projects in Troy Township on Thursday, following a wave of opposition from local municipalities, school districts, and state officials.

The projects, proposed by developer Kevin Human of New Leaf Energy on behalf of landowner Shorewood Grain Farmers LLC, sought to place two separate 5-megawatt solar facilities on adjacent parcels of agricultural land near the intersection of Baltz Road and County Line Road. The combined projects would have covered over 57 acres with solar panels.

During a lengthy discussion, committee members heard from the Shorewood mayor, who argued passionately that the projects were inappropriately sited and would stifle the village’s planned residential growth.

“Siting is what’s important,” the mayor of Shorewood stated. “We have so many other ways of making certain we’re citing solar facilities in appropriately zoned locations. There is a reason you’ve got eight objection letters already.”

The letters of objection came from the Village of Shorewood, the City of Joliet, Troy Township, Troy schools, Minooka Community High School, State Representative Harry Benton, and the Troy Fire Protection District. The mayor also indicated a formal resolution of objection was forthcoming from the Grand Prairie Water Commission.

The primary concerns cited by objectors revolved around the land’s potential for future residential development and the resulting impact on tax revenues and a major regional water project. According to the mayor, Shorewood and five other communities are undertaking a $1.5 billion project to bring Lake Michigan water to the area, a project partially funded by future development.

“If there is a significant reduction in potential homes, that’s a direct impact on our ratepayers,” he argued, explaining that the village’s comprehensive plan designates the area for residential growth. He also contrasted the tax revenue from solar with potential housing, stating that residential development would generate about “$20 million in the lifespan of some of these solar facilities” for the school district, far exceeding the revenue from solar.

Mark Feck, representing the property owners, countered the village’s arguments. He noted that they had already worked with the Grand Prairie Water Commission by selling it 50 acres of their original farm, reducing their planned solar sites from three to two. He also questioned the immediacy of Shorewood’s development plans.

“We weren’t invited to the plan,” Feck said, referencing the village’s comprehensive plan. “When they came to the planning meeting, they didn’t invite us to the plans… No one ever contacted us to see what our plans are.”

Feck stated that if the solar projects were denied, the alternative would be to sell off 10-acre parcels for farm-style homes, which would not align with Shorewood’s vision for dense residential subdivisions. “The plan that they put on the board or that they’re talking about will never be realized,” he said.

Committee member Sherry Newquist questioned Shorewood’s stance, asking what would happen if the landowner decided to sell to a warehouse developer instead. Shorewood’s attorney, Dave Silverman, stressed the importance of adhering to the comprehensive plan.

“The nature of the comprehensive plan and the nature of the zoning laws are that it’s for the good of the whole, right?” Silverman said. “You don’t necessarily look at one at one piece of property under a microscope, but you look at the good of the whole for the whole community.”

Ultimately, the committee sided with the objectors. Both projects, ZC-25-041 and ZC-25-043, failed on identical 1-4 votes, with only member Newquist voting in favor. The recommendation for denial will now be forwarded to the full Will County Board for a final decision.