PROJECT OVERVIEW: SYLVAN SOLAR

The Sylvan Solar Project is a proposed 220-megawatt (MW) industrial-scale solar energy facility spanning approximately 2,400 acres of land in southern Newaygo County. Developed by Sylvan Solar, LLC (a subsidiary of the AES Corporation which is currently being acquired by a BlackRock-led consortium), the project is designed to include roughly 1,500 acres of fenced-in solar arrays across both Sheridan Charter Township and Garfield Township.  The project has met significant local opposition due to its scale and the proposed conversion of high-quality agricultural land into an industrial zone. Currently, the project is in a critical legal phase as the developer intends to bypass Garfield Township's local denial by utilizing the state-level override process established by Public Act 233 and force the project on both townships.  

PROJECT HISTORY

MAY – JUNE 2025: THE ROLLOUT

• Project Introduction: AES Corporation (via Sylvan Solar, LLC) introduces plans for a 220-megawatt solar facility. The proposal covers approximately 2,400 acres of land across Sheridan and Garfield Townships.

• Local Presence: AES opens a project office in Newaygo and hires local representatives to begin outreach and land negotiations.

AUGUST 19, 2025: GARFIELD FILING

• Application Submitted: AES formally submits a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) application to Garfield Township.

SEPTEMBER 15, 2025: SHERIDAN FILING

• Application Submitted: AES submits a Special Land Use Permit application to the Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission (the body that handles zoning for Sheridan Charter Township).

OCTOBER 2025: SHERIDAN APPROVAL

• Permit Granted: The Fremont Community Joint Planning Commission approves the permit for the Sheridan portion of the project.

• Current Status: With local approval secured, AES is focused on maintaining this permit and monitoring for any local attempts to rescind or block the authorization.

NOVEMBER 2025: GARFIELD PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING POSTPONED 

• Due to overwhelming attendance from local residents, the scheduled Public Hearing was cancelled and postponed. The township hall was unable to safely accommodate the hundreds of neighbors who showed up to voice their concerns. This event proved the massive scale of community opposition to the Sylvan Solar project. 

JANUARY 29, 2026: GARFIELD PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING 

• Community Opposition: A massive public hearing is held at Newaygo High School. Hundreds of residents attend to voice concerns over drainage, property values, and the permanent loss of agricultural land.

FEBRUARY 2026: GARFIELD DENIAL

• Permit Denied: Following the recommendation of the Planning Commission and overwhelming public testimony, the Garfield Township Board officially votes NO, denying the AES permit.

MARCH – MAY 2026: THE CURRENT FIGHT

• April 28, 2026. The developer submitted a Pre-Application Request (Form 301/303) to EGLE (Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy)  asking EGLE to identify protected wetland or inland streams.   

• Local Appeal: AES/BlackRock has appealed the Garfield denial. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) meeting on May 7th resulted in the ZBA tabling the decision until further notice.  As soon as we know the final meeting date and venue, we will provide it.  PUBLIC ATTENDANCE IS CRITICAL!  

• Public Meetings:  AES/BlackRock has given a notice of intent to both townships to file with the MPSC to override our local zoning through PA 233.   Open houses (mandatory meeting required by PA233) concluded on May 19th, 2026 for Garfield Township and May 20th, 2026 for Sheridan Charter Township.  The developer is expected to file with the MPSC no sooner than June 19th, 2026.  Stay tuned for more information.