Will County Committee Grants Extensions for Crete, Washington Township Solar Projects

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee granted 180-day extensions for two commercial solar energy projects in Crete and Washington Townships, giving the developer additional time to complete the necessary permitting before their initial approvals expire.

Solar Farm Permit Extensions Key Points:

• A first extension was approved for a TPE Development affiliated project in Crete Township (ZC-23-108), pushing its deadline to June 19, 2026.

• A first extension was also granted for a related TPE project in Washington Township (ZC-24-020), moving its deadline to November 12, 2026.

• The extensions were requested to allow more time to complete complex permitting and pre-construction processes.

• Special use permits for solar facilities in Will County typically expire after two years if construction has not legally commenced.

JOLIET, IL — Two large-scale solar energy projects in eastern Will County were granted more time to get off the ground after the Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday, November 6, 2025, approved their first 180-day permit extensions.

The committee unanimously approved the requests for projects in Crete and Washington townships, both associated with TPE Development, LLC. The extensions are necessary because the special use permits approved by the County Board are set to expire within the next year, and the projects have not yet completed the building permit process to legally establish the use.

The first extension was for case SEXT-25-019, concerning a commercial solar facility at the southeast corner of South Nacke Road and West Loves Lane in Crete Township. Originally approved on December 21, 2023, the permit was set to expire in December 2025. The applicant has applied for a building permit but cited needing more time to complete the process. The extension is now valid through June 19, 2026.

The second approval was for case SEXT-25-020, for a solar facility at the southeast corner of West Indiana Avenue and South Western Avenue in Washington Township, near Beecher. This project was approved on May 16, 2024, and its permit was set to expire in May 2026. According to county staff, the applicant has not yet applied for a building permit. The extension pushes the new expiration date to November 12, 2026.

Under the Will County Zoning Ordinance, a special use permit lapses after two years if the use has not been legally established. The ordinance allows the County Board to grant up to four separate 180-day extensions for “good cause.” Jordan Belknap, representing the applicant, stated they have been working with local authorities, including University Park, on necessary road improvements for the Crete project before construction can begin.