Manchester Planning Board to Review Landfill Solar Project, Development Changes at May 4 Meeting

Manchester, NJ — A proposed solar redevelopment on a former landfill and revisions to a multi-building development are set to headline the Manchester Township Planning Board meeting scheduled for Monday at 6 p.m., signaling continued shifts in how the township uses land tied to both growth and sustainability. The May 4 agenda includes two key items under memorializations, including a solar energy project along Route 70 and a technical clarification tied to an already approved development on Lakehurst Whitesville Road. Both items reflect ongoing adjustments to previously reviewed projects rather than entirely new proposals—but each carries implications for land use, infrastructure, and long-term planning. Solar project planned for former landfill One of the most notable items involves a “courtesy review” for a proposed solar field at 1501 Route 70, at the Whitesville Recycling Center. The applicant, NextGrid, is seeking to redevelop the property into a solar energy facility. The parcel sits on the north side of Route 70, roughly 3,200 feet west of the Route 539 intersection. Under New Jersey law, specifically the Municipal Land Use Law (MLUL), solar installations on closed landfills are considered a permitted use across municipalities. That designation has opened the door for projects like this