Board receives correspondence from Shorewood about proposed solar project; village seeks letters of opposition for residential-zoned acreage

The Joliet Township High School Board of Education received correspondence from the village of Shorewood about a proposed solar project that the village says overlaps residentially zoned acreage and could affect properties in the district.

A board member who presented the correspondence told the board she had spoken with Shorewood Mayor Cece DeBold and that other municipalities and local entities had submitted letters of opposition. The presenter said the parcel in question contains "about 80 acres" within Joliet Township District and that Shorewood provided estimates projecting the area could house roughly 200 residents in typical 3- to 5-bedroom homes; the presenter characterized those numbers as projections.

The village conveyed that it supports green projects generally and noted a prior solar installation approved on industrially zoned land, but said this proposed project falls mainly in areas currently zoned residential. The village asked for letters of opposition from affected entities; board members discussed whether to send a letter and asked the presenter to share future hearing dates as they become available. One board member said, "Will County is really suffering when it comes to residential housing, and I'm not in favor of supporting solar farms versus residential housing." The presenter said Mayor DeBold offered to attend a board meeting to answer questions when schedules align.

Board members did not take a formal vote; staff said they would share hearing dates and additional information when available.