Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | October 21, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission recommended approval for a 62.7-acre commercial solar energy facility in New Lenox Township, contingent on several conditions, including the development of an emergency response plan and adherence to landscaping requests from the Village of New Lenox. The project, proposed by Nexamp Solar LLC, aims to contribute to Illinois’ renewable energy goals under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA).

Spencer Road Solar Farm Key Points:

• Project Scope: A special use permit was sought for a commercial solar energy facility on a 110-acre property on South Spencer Road, utilizing approximately 62.7 acres for two projects totaling 5.25 MW (AC).

• Variances Approved: The commission also recommended variances to allow pollinator-friendly ground cover to grow up to 36 inches (from 13 inches) and to reduce the required number of mowings from five to one annually.

• Local Input: The Village of New Lenox did not object but recommended conditions concerning setbacks, access drive surfacing, fencing, and landscape screening. The Forest Preserve District of Will County also provided recommendations to protect local wildlife.

• State Law Compliance: The project falls under Illinois Public Law 102-1123, which sets specific parameters and timelines for counties to review commercial solar energy proposals.

JOLIET, IL – The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, October 21, 2025, recommended approval for a large-scale commercial solar energy facility on approximately 62.7 acres of agricultural land in New Lenox Township. The recommendation, which now goes to the full Will County Board for a final decision, includes a special use permit and two variances aimed at promoting pollinator-friendly habitats on the site.

The project, proposed by developer Nexamp Solar LLC under the names Spencer Road Solar East LLC and Spencer Road Solar West LLC, involves constructing two adjacent solar facilities on a 110-acre property located on South Spencer Road, south of the Village of New Lenox. The combined facilities will feature approximately 12,029 solar panels on single-axis tracker systems, generating a total of 5.25 megawatts (AC).

The proposal is part of the state’s Adjustable Block program under the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act (CEJA), which incentivizes renewable energy projects. According to Illinois law, county review of such projects is subject to a strict timeline, requiring a public hearing within 60 days of a complete application.

In addition to the special use permit, the commission recommended two variances from county code. The first increases the maximum allowed height for ground cover plants from 13 inches to 36 inches. The second reduces the required number of mowings from five times per year to just once. Staff reports indicated these variances are crucial for establishing a “pollinator-friendly solar site” under the Illinois Pollinator-Friendly Solar Site Act. The taller native vegetation and reduced mowing allow deep-rooted pollinator species to propagate, which helps recharge agricultural soils, improve water infiltration, and provide habitat for birds and insects.

The Village of New Lenox, whose corporate boundary is within 400 to 1,300 feet of the property, reviewed the project and did not object. However, the village board recommended five conditions for approval. These include meeting all county setback requirements, installing a concrete or asphalt surface for the access drive within the Spencer Road right-of-way, installing an eight-foot-tall Fixed Knot Farm fence, placing landscape screening along the western fence line, and abiding by all New Lenox Fire Protection District requirements.

The Forest Preserve District of Will County also submitted a letter with recommendations to mitigate environmental impacts. The district suggested installing wildlife-friendly fencing with a six-inch gap at the bottom to allow for animal movement, clearing trees only between November 1st and March 31st to protect wildlife, and using native quality plant species for landscaping.

According to the developer, the site will be remotely monitored 24/7, with employees only visiting occasionally for maintenance. The project is expected to create 20 to 25 local jobs during its estimated six-month construction phase, anticipated to begin in the fall of 2026. The developer has also entered into an Agricultural Impact Mitigation Agreement (AIMA) with the Illinois Department of Agriculture to ensure the preservation of the agricultural land and provide financial assurance for the eventual decommissioning of the facility.