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 Gorman of Enterprise Energy, will be located on a 45-acre property at 14910 and 14750 S. Archer Avenue. The four-parcel site is currently zoned A-1 (Agricultural) and consists of two residences and cropland. While the special use permit applies to all 45 acres, solar panels will only occupy approximately 23.5 acres under a 35-year lease agreement.

Land Use staff member Kelli Kruczynski informed the committee that the Village of Homer Glenn had registered an objection to the project. However, she also noted that the applicant plans to annex the property into the City of Lockport if the special use permit is ultimately approved by the full County Board.

“There is dense vegetation along the property lines which completely screens the site from Archer Avenue,” Kruczynski added.

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission previously recommended approval with a 6-0 vote. Staff also recommended approval with four conditions attached.

Gorman was present to answer questions, but the committee had few. The project was approved by a unanimous vote of the members present and will now proceed to the full County Board for final consideration.