The Fayette Township Planning Commission on Thursday postponed a decision on a special use permit for the Heartwood II Solar Project, following a public hearing that was dominated by resident opposition.
Thursday’s hearing was a continuation of a session that was cut short for time on April 16th.
The commission took no action on the application from Chicago-based developer Ranger Power, which seeks to construct a 1,350-acre utility-scale solar installation on the township’s east side.
Planning Commission members said they’ll need additional time to review public testimony and technical documents before moving to a vote.
No date has been set for the next meeting of the commission.
The postponement keeps the project in local hands for now. Under Michigan’s Public Act 233, developers can shift the permitting process to the state if a local government fails to act on a “compatible” request within a set timeframe or denies a project that meets state standards.
The financial stakes for Ranger Power are high, as the project must navigate a tight timeline established by the “One Big Beautiful Bill.”
To secure the millions of dollars in tax credits, the developer must officially commence construction or meet the 5% Safe Harbor spending threshold by July 4th.
