[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6076019,"mediaKeyId","2977012-0ce9040d03e6f274ccf757be204c37f5","parentId",2977012,"title","Council OKs Lockport Township public safety training facility and accessory outdoor firing range after months of debate","audioSeconds",7784,"startMs",1063000,"endMs",8847000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977012-0ce9040d03e6f274ccf757be204c37f5&start=1063&end=8847","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977012-0ce9040d03e6f274ccf757be204c37f5/thumbnail_1063000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6076019/Crest-Hill/Will-County/Illinois/Council-OKs-Lockport-Township-public-safety-training-facility-and-accessory-outdoor-firing-range-after-months-of-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076019-084e1a34f0a4ed14bc5ff91e994311b6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159547&Signature=HDTYNFTOZUZUzcvNPVECujHaG8Nt~PvvrLXeHV~cUF7EjICtIb-23WTPl9fSXilQKwM1zY8V375jkzbxuuQVIGOARVVORjAi619ZqI29qaOyWBboKU1IdoqXulTjjxiJQsArVirhJYfyeD0muOjAujmGxa5~ZHKHs2I87rXxyA9kw3dgmCq8xhJl9slRaJ81TzOuVSBqSiFoisdZDIEkZNc2gomZUTceEQHs9jxufCxegCjjdEjDZGTFM0nxuDocmcKnY-vIENSnEQWVm-zurBI-rZFPB8scSn~W~jZe1vShGQA-Ps7reLE7~WE3qVA-LToTAGK-6sT6WzUTIIHFjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Crest Hill, IL","date","2025-04-08T06:02:14Z","article","The Crest Hill City Council voted April 7 to approve zoning changes and special-use permits needed for a Lockport Township public safety training facility that will include an accessory government-operated outdoor firing range.

The council first approved a text amendment to the Crest Hill Zoning Ordinance to define, permit and regulate government-operated outdoor firing ranges in the city (Ordinance 2015). After later debate and a separate motion, the council also approved a related ordinance granting special-use permits for the training facility and accessory range and waiving certain Planned Unit Development (PUD) submittal requirements (Ordinance 2016). Both measures passed by narrow votes.

Why it was contentious: The proposed facility drew sustained public comment and aldermanic debate focused on three main concerns—noise from live-fire training, potential effects on nearby property values and whether residents had sufficient notice and opportunity to engage. Supporters, including Lockport Fire Protection District Chief Michael O'Connor and several neighboring fire and police chiefs, argued the facility would improve interagency training, help the Lockport district reach an ISO rating that lowers insurance costs and consolidate training to a single engineered site designed to reduce noise.

Chief Michael O'Connor described extensive design and mitigation measures in response to resident concerns: he said the training site was redeveloped from initial designs to move the range farther from the nearest subdivision, place a classroom building between the range and residences, orient shooting away from houses, add side berms and raise berm heights to 24 feet, include a rear sound wall and add vegetative buffers. The facility designer also commissioned a sound engineer; Chief O'Connor said the study showed the mitigation measures would reduce audible impact compared with nearby state-owned ranges. \"Improved proficiency in emergency response makes for a safer community,\" O'Connor said, adding that the range will be managed to EPA best practices for lead management and will be used by trained public-safety personnel, not the general public.

Residents and some aldermen pushed back. Speakers called for more direct outreach to affected neighborhoods, an economic or market analysis to estimate effects on property values, and a citizens\badvisory process. Several Ward 2 residents said they learned late about the proposal, formed petitions, and asked the council to delay action until additional community meetings or a formal property-value analysis could be done. One resident urged a \"not yet\" approach: \"A no vote is simply saying not yet while options that haven't been exhausted yet are still in play,\" he said during public comment.

Compromise elements and committee: Staff and the Lockport team reported negotiated changes to range hours and usage: Chief O'Connor told council that total range operation hours had been reduced by 80% from initial proposals and night-shoot operations were reduced by 70%, and he offered bylaws for an advisory committee titled the \"Lockport Township Public Safety Training Facility Advisory Committee.\" The committee was written as a collaborative group including city-appointed residents and representatives from the Lockport Fire Protection District and police agencies, with bylaws to govern meetings and reporting. The packet also shows the burn pit size was revised in designs from 40-by-40 to 8-by-8 feet.

Council action: After debate about outreach and whether to require a market analysis (PUD market-study and tax/school-impact sections were the PUD items discussed), council voted to adopt the zoning text amendment that permits government-operated outdoor ranges and later approved the special-use PUD and accessory-range permits and the requested waivers. The votes were narrow; both adoption of the text amendment and the subsequent special-use/PUD approvals passed by the council's simple majority.

What the ordinances do
- Ordinance 2015: Amends Crest Hill Zoning Ordinance to define and permit government-operated outdoor firing ranges as a special use, and lays out general regulatory elements including hours and operational controls.
- Ordinance 2016: Grants the requested special-use permits for the non-residential PUD training facility and accessory outdoor firing range, and waives certain PUD submittal requirements (tax/school impact study, market analysis and final construction drawings) per staff and planning commission recommendations. Bylaws for the advisory committee and the modified hours were included as exhibits in the packet.

Next steps and conditions: The Lockport Fire Protection District and associated agencies will proceed to finalize construction documents, and the locally formed advisory committee will be convened to coordinate operations, calendar posting and address resident complaints. Council members and staff said they will monitor operations and mitigation measures; the fire district indicated it will consider setting aside funding to respond to mitigation requests if the committee identifies post-construction issues.

Why it matters: The facility centralizes regional training and includes a burn tower that Lockport officials said is necessary to capture points for a higher ISO rating, which they said would reduce insurance premiums. Opponents feared local impacts on property values, noise, and the timing of outreach. The council's narrow approval resolves years of planning debate but leaves residents and council members expecting ongoing monitoring and committee-based oversight.

Direct quotes
- \"Since we began this process nearly 2 years ago, our focus has been on improving the proficiency of our first responders through high quality, realistic training opportunities,\" said Chief Michael O'Connor, Lockport Fire Protection District chief.
- \"The total range operation has been reduced by 80%, and the night shoot operations has been reduced by 70%,\" Chief O'Connor told the council.

Implementation risk and limits: City staff and the city attorney noted that state statute was referenced during the meeting about firearm-range liability and immunity for government-operated ranges; the city cannot enforce private nuisance claims against a governmental range that meets specified state criteria. The advisory committee was described as the primary local mechanism to coordinate voluntary actions and neighborly cooperation. The ordinance and special-use approvals do not create an enforcement power to override state immunity but do create contractual and procedural expectations for intergovernmental cooperation and local oversight.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","04-07-2025 Crest Hill City Council Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","After extended public comment and debate, the Crest Hill City Council approved a zoning text amendment and special-use permits to allow a Lockport Township public safety training facility with an accessory outdoor firing range, with both votes passing by narrow council majorities.","taxTitle","Crest Hill, Will County, Illinois","taxId",56197,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076024,"Crest Hill council approves A & D Storage special use, corrects keypad hours",450,416000,866000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977012-0ce9040d03e6f274ccf757be204c37f5&start=416&end=866","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977012-0ce9040d03e6f274ccf757be204c37f5/thumbnail_416000.jpg","/articles/6076024/Crest-Hill/Will-County/Illinois/Crest-Hill-council-approves-A-D-Storage-special-use-corrects-keypad-hours","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076024-4ec77ade9a8bfcb0b1d89cad80015e83/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159547&Signature=BlTUftZxGYINdiQE9lVYbcGEjYr850iCdFROvb2js60dnANIKLpnfKbGju9fQxv-jq5gaBzxlcxAzSnNDIAfQLQhj7WUKAPHZlyfLY6whXvzH9DKURQl90WLO1EgzteY3CddBQAQbw7vvEfh6dZRkEBWy6MmpDlzTAkghwpwFLyoh60ULo3-6mhnM6AD7faBrqulDAYWbzNLelcNC-nG1CtCbZgjZcqUPRIEVXEcPfoVjRWM9H39DVIGs~HraqCYfpoPqFi4VjH4W5caOUVxNhTZyRHg16~uTLwR07knDkX6-aJocFfFurcEMUdWGgJi9fpeJ~F9lMoTzW9mf~vcWw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crest Hill City Council on April 7 approved a special-use permit allowing A & D Storage to build a self-service storage facility on the southwest corner of Renwick Road and Boreal Drive.

The decision came after a presentation from Patrick Ainsworth, Crest Hill\bs Community and Economic Development Director, who told the council the project previously received approval in 2023 but requires a new special use because the current ownership has changed and the buyer wants to substitute asphalt for a portion of the interior drive where the 2023 approval required concrete. Ainsworth said the plan commission recommended the new special use on March 27, 2025.

The ordinance (assigned No. 2014 in the meeting packet) was approved with a minor correction: a keypad access time listed as 7 p.m. in packet materials was changed to 7 a.m. before the roll call vote. Resident Christina Pershey raised the issue of concrete requirements and cited inconsistent messaging to homeowners; Rudy Sarif, the applicant, said landscaping replacements would follow the approved landscape plan. \"I believe they have to,\" Sarif said when asked whether dead plantings would be replaced.

Alderman Darrell Jefferson moved the approval; the motion was seconded and carried on roll call. The council\bs roll call for the motion recorded unanimous affirmative votes from members present and the mayor, and the mayor announced the motion carried.

What it means: The new special use authorizes A & D Storage to proceed under the terms set by the council and the planning commission with the clarified keypad hour and the applicant\bs assurance on landscaping maintenance. The change from concrete to asphalt in the inner drive area was the central substantive difference from the earlier approval; the council and staff characterized the modification as within the purview of a new special-use approval because the zoning approval is tied to the approved materials.

The council gave the applicant permission to proceed with permits, subject to the final construction approvals required by staff and any conditions in the special-use ordinance.

Key details
- Case: SU25-1-3-1, A & D Storage, B-3 special use for self-service storage at SW corner of Renwick Road & Boreal Drive.
- Action: Special use approved; keypad access time corrected from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.; ordinance number noted in packet as 2014.
- Public comment: Christina Pershey questioned why the project would be allowed to use asphalt where homeowners are now being told they must use concrete; the applicant and staff said the concrete requirement in the 2023 approval applies differently and the landscaping plan requires replacement of dead plantings.

Next steps: Applicant may proceed with permit applications and final construction documents per city requirements.","The Crest Hill City Council approved a B-3 special use for a self-service storage facility at Renwick Road and Boreal Drive, granting A & D Storage a new one-year commencement period and correcting a keypad-hours scrivener\u000error from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6076014,"Council approves several contracts, extends interim public-works agreement and accepts consultant services",257,10571000,10828000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2977012-0ce9040d03e6f274ccf757be204c37f5&start=10571&end=10828","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2977012-0ce9040d03e6f274ccf757be204c37f5/thumbnail_10571000.jpg","/articles/6076014/Crest-Hill/Will-County/Illinois/Council-approves-several-contracts-extends-interim-public-works-agreement-and-accepts-consultant-services","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6076014-d66969d4d1779d2ed40ce051b91d2a9e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771159547&Signature=NB7f-TxSqzB5gBbwa0qTuQcK5b7LYCzffElOZcnoSzN4v28fret18Cqy4P4pPVEhAU7W7yxaXgfvPuFBkNs-~NSxLqoqNqt7sptaqx26Ixw0rW7LEPPuTOmOIj-rsickYL-yZkBtLoPPsEkHPqEIpbeYFNgi7rFCJ9SbQiwXKjZPq5ENRQ0NIzsHeoQjxg-3KLfpnonmMn4g5KEs0HWJElA43Kdu3T3NJRBGq-xQ60PhWXvOdVEoOu5xsYwcE9hKQ-OOzpDZDN4lcI-XIYuoDeWXFL5kDfq~VKFdh4T~Y4drx7Boe3qy5nkwVFH1X3qF2SuxjJeqGq2TGDhclRS98g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Beyond land-use items, the Crest Hill City Council approved several operational and capital items during its April 7 session.

Key actions approved
- Interim public-works services: The council extended MGT Impact Solutions LLC\bs interim public-works contract for up to 90 days (through August 8, 2025, with 30-day termination clauses); council directed staff to begin recruitment for a permanent public-works director.

- Emergency well work (Well 10): The council authorized emergency work with Lane Christensen & Co. for repairs to Well 10 in an amount not to exceed $80,000. Staff said the pump/motor were pulled for evaluation after a suspected lightning strike and the vendor is documenting damage for an insurance claim.

- CIPP water-main rehabilitation: The council authorized a notice of intent to award a contract to Fertile Construction USA LLC for Phase 1 of CIPP (cured-in-place pipe) water-main rehabilitation in the amount of $2,479,975.70 and directed staff to have Strand & Associates prepare the full IEPA submittal package for loan approval.

- Community development consultant: The council approved an independent contractor consulting agreement with Ronald Metzner to serve as interim planner/consultant for community and economic development work; motion included a four-month notice provision and reporting to the community-development director.

- Payroll and bills: The council approved the list of bills through March 23, 2025, totaling $3,432,278.32 and accepted regular and overtime payroll through March 23, 2025 ($255,275.33 for that payroll period).

What comes next: Staff will proceed with the IEPA package submittal for the CIPP project, pursue the Well 10 repairs and insurance reimbursement, continue recruitment for the public-works director, and finalize consultant engagement tasks with Ronald Metzner according to the contract and reporting requirements.","At its April 7 meeting the Crest Hill City Council approved a set of administrative and capital actions: extension of an interim public-works contract, emergency well repairs, a notice of intent for a large water-main rehabilitation contract, a consultant agreement for community development services, and approval of bills and payroll.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council OKs Lockport Township public safety training facility and accessory outdoor firing range after months of debate

Crest Hill council approves A & D Storage special use, corrects keypad hours

Council approves several contracts, extends interim public-works agreement and accepts consultant services