By Stephanie Irvine
During the same village board meeting, The Conservation Foundation gave a presentation regarding Manhattan Creek, which runs in between the Brookstone Springs and Foxford subdivisions. A conservation easement was recorded in 2009, and conversation management has been sporadic since then.
The Conservation Foundation recently received a $20,000 RISE grant for future management, ecological restoration, and resident accessibility. An on-site visit is planned for August 14, and planning will continue through the fall, when a final concept plan will be presented to the board.
In other news, the village updated a per diem travel policy, hired a full-time public works laborer, Brian Friebele, and discussed a stop sign by the new junior high school.
The mayor mentioned that solar farms also are becoming more prevalent in the area. Will County Land Use has already received 70 applications for solar farms, and the village has received a number of inquiries. Adrieansen wanted to bring this to the board’s attention and asked Nelson to draw up a map of areas where solar farms could be allowed for future board discussion.
Stephanie Irvine is a freelance reporter.
Would be interested to know why the Valerian Solar Company is being allowed to build their Commercial Access Road on the Dale Steffes property all along Manhattan Creek for approximately 300- 400 feet and 30 feet from the Creek, according to their plan. This happened at the Will County Board Meeting August 15, 2024. This commercial access road, as proposed by the Solar Company, would be built over wet lands and entirely in the flood plain of Manhattan Creek. Devastating for the wildlife along this creek is a certainty I believe. Not to mention neighboring property values and beautiful views. SAD!