[{"_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",6201446,"mediaKeyId","3793936-5c0942ebcc0748c156a6ff32a2dffd4d","parentId",3793936,"title","Crest Hill plan commission approves zoning text updates for vehicle, contractor, beauty and firearm uses","audioSeconds",1433,"startMs",5972000,"endMs",7405000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3793936-5c0942ebcc0748c156a6ff32a2dffd4d&start=5972&end=7405","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3793936-5c0942ebcc0748c156a6ff32a2dffd4d/thumbnail_5972000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6201446/Crest-Hill/Will-County/Illinois/Crest-Hill-plan-commission-approves-zoning-text-updates-for-vehicle-contractor-beauty-and-firearm-uses","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201446-86fe4cadf7c56dfc566b827c0b107959/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147130&Signature=elrJUXywGC0wo4JyxUVfgWd~f8QLKCe0E57l6leLEWrVtRigESWGL2okq5EWVj0oaZTRBjpznVuSSAC6ySK1g1FPB6OFNOHet2Tq5WNA6cu0Vhg5HSXbHxub4Os7UjSljfJG6Pe1wIc4k68AcFaAgec44S-NjNvvw9RmYaJh82L086v-u5BtR7fMNx0TagbrDVgNeTJ509Rx5bktBcq3qsuSzA4pzYZxZVRHZB1Z6C78kPcIh63k2DDP13l7dSAJ3uUiI9DTqC~wUl7YMgbkSuIuNSE2Tmxq-qAzGKHSVTKjKo0W7cKkrL0Ajwj1AzSK0HG1cnWeVe2Mmz3mkGOuaA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Crest Hill, IL","date","2025-06-13T03:14:45Z","article","The Crest Hill Plan Commission voted 5-0 to send a comprehensive set of zoning text amendments to the City Council that clarify and modernize land-use definitions and standards for four categories: motorized vehicle storage and salvage activities; contractor and landscaping-based businesses; beauty and personal service businesses; and firearm-related businesses.

Pat Ainsworth, the city’s community and economic development director, said staff and the city attorney worked with consultant Ron Messer to identify ambiguous or missing definitions, align parking standards and add targeted use standards and buffers where warranted.

What changed: The amendments do several things: they rename and clarify salvage and wrecking uses (making certain motor vehicle salvage/wrecking operations a special use in M-1 and M-2 industrial districts), add a capped “storage garage” use (permitted in M-1 and M-2 up to 2,000 square feet), define contractor- and landscaping-based businesses and add standards to manage outdoor storage and screening, and expand definitions for beauty and personal services (for example, aestheticians and similar regulated practices). The amendments also create three categories for firearm-related businesses (retail, federal firearms license transfers and manufacturers) and set a 150-foot buffer from “sensitive uses” (schools, parks, daycare, churches) where those uses would be disallowed.

Why it matters: Ainsworth said the zoning ordinance has gaps that make it difficult for staff, property owners and prospective business buyers to know whether a use is allowed and what rules apply. Commissioner comments reflected support for clearer definitions and predictable requirements; one commissioner suggested explicitly adding “RVs” to the vehicle-storage language to reflect local practice, and staff agreed to incorporate such clarifying edits.

Implementation: The amendments include new use table entries, modifications to development standards (screening, height, indoor-operation requirements where applicable) and special-use review triggers for sensitive or potentially intrusive operations. Staff prepared reference maps showing parcels that would be eligible for firearm-related uses under the 150-foot buffer; Ainsworth said those maps are included in the staff report and are snapshot references for current conditions.

Vote and next steps: Commissioner Ken Carroll moved approval; Commissioner Gordon Butler seconded. The roll call vote was 5-0 in favor. The plan commission forwarded the proposed ordinance language to the City Council for review at an upcoming workshop on June 23, 2025.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","06-12-2025 Plan Commission Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Plan Commission approved text amendments to the Crest Hill zoning ordinance to add or clarify definitions, permitted zones and special-use requirements for motor vehicle storage/salvage, contractor and landscaping businesses, beauty and personal services and firearm-related businesses. The commission forwarded the updates to the City Council.","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},6201451,"Plan commission approves Redemption Hour Ministry’s special use to reopen former St. Anne’s church",3239,2286000,5525000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3793936-5c0942ebcc0748c156a6ff32a2dffd4d&start=2286&end=5525","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3793936-5c0942ebcc0748c156a6ff32a2dffd4d/thumbnail_2286000.jpg","/articles/6201451/Crest-Hill/Will-County/Illinois/Plan-commission-approves-Redemption-Hour-Ministrys-special-use-to-reopen-former-St-Annes-church","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201451-f99a22757212028f581a4b2b36e966ff/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147130&Signature=FOLXhUKS0vceHp-KwSNDHQ3hDZuHV-6N1mi~RJwWv6NlIZZkgOwuwzDiNwZ-elTSwm2L8JoEUrQrR6s1FIFkgwtf6NEpNeSM3MMe5wDfr4Shz1KfaDJDRqqQux8NCtkTOFafoLa-f22KU1jHDow8qQyB4w02lyN-EjSsIexRDSjP8sJMpETZ72biQKyxFGw6v4CvArUJSYoB5y7~~aNSxIl5Q1Gim~cJh-CVuu25cctPv7ldZCPIbIDySzSD8msK1-ehJVNaMID~7D84IJSuCvvQAff9qhSfo7KIB~yzLj9~Kmx-xStzQeMzGj6hsPyj2KFaCJZfeik5Dp6mYnkfjA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crest Hill Plan Commission voted 5-0 to recommend approval of a special use permit and related zoning variances that will let Redemption Hour Ministry reactivate the former St. Anne’s church at 1800 Dearborn Street.

Pat Ainsworth, Crest Hill’s community and economic development director, summarized the application and staff analysis, saying the building (constructed in 1953) sits on a 45,900-square-foot lot and currently exceeds the R-1 lot coverage limit. Ainsworth said staff and the applicant worked together on a list of six conditions for approval.

Why it matters: The building was previously a Catholic parish property owned by the Diocese of Joliet that stopped regular services in 2024. Redemption Hour Ministry is seeking to purchase and occupy the structure for indoor worship and community uses; staff noted the building’s preexisting, nonconforming features require a retroactive special use and variances to match current code.

Applicant presentation and commitments: The applicant’s representative described Redemption Hour Ministry as an 18-year-old, nondenominational congregation that rents space now and seeks to purchase the property to host worship services and community programs. The representative said the church’s regular congregation is about 70 people, that services would typically run Sundays 10:10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., and that the organization will not permit alcohol on the premises.

Staff and conditions: Ainsworth highlighted five zoning variances in the staff report — lot coverage (existing 58 percent vs. 50 percent allowed), a five-space parking deficit, a zero-foot lot setback where 10 feet is required, absence of parking-lot landscape islands, and noncompliant stall depth — and attached a KLOA traffic engineering analysis showing staff’s parking calculations. Staff’s six recommended conditions include: compliance with submitted drawings; removal of four pews (reducing posted seating); construction of a trash enclosure by Dec. 31, 2025; repaving the parking lot by June 12, 2026 (building and paving permits required); and a requirement that the conditions run with the property on any future transfer.

Public comment and endorsement: Neighbors spoke at the hearing. Resident Christine Richey said she supports a church at the site but asked for clarification about ministry programs such as monthly homeless drives and “street evangelism.” Longtime resident Ray Slinski described local alley and parking history. Maureen Hartman, retired general counsel for the Diocese of Joliet, told the commission that Bishop Ronald Hicks supports Redemption Hour Ministries and provided historical attendance figures for St. Anne’s: she said the parish’s October 2023 average Sunday attendance was about 121 people (roughly 60 per Mass), and peak attendance for a single Mass that October was 78. Hartman also described large community events previously hosted at the parish and noted that Redemption Hour’s proposed scale is smaller than prior parish activity.

Vote and next steps: Commissioner Jeff Peterson moved the approval; Commissioner Ken Carroll seconded. The roll call vote was 5-0 (Butler, Peterson, Carroll, Slabazewski, Thomas). The plan commission recommended the special use and variances to the City Council; staff said the council will review the case at the June 23, 2025 workshop.","The Plan Commission recommended a special use permit and several variances allowing Redemption Hour Ministry to reactivate the former St. Anne’s church at 1800 Dearborn Street. Approval is conditioned on six items including removal of four pews, construction of a trash enclosure and repaving the lot by mid-2026.",{"_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},6201456,"Crest Hill plan commission backs variances to let four-unit Broadway apartment be rebuilt",1848,427000,2275000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3793936-5c0942ebcc0748c156a6ff32a2dffd4d&start=427&end=2275","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3793936-5c0942ebcc0748c156a6ff32a2dffd4d/thumbnail_427000.jpg","/articles/6201456/Crest-Hill/Will-County/Illinois/Crest-Hill-plan-commission-backs-variances-to-let-four-unit-Broadway-apartment-be-rebuilt","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6201456-74da17b8de1a161614c61c2120d662df/orig.mp4?Expires=1771147130&Signature=L07cJqOnabm-16lp4X-8ZQJwHGuhKNrg9oGkO23BVRPMaAmHqxI5Nr29Er~JV2yS9X3L8RDYyM0Esa3oxGVqytW6fSevP1GudE8Kd1BShI~qCgHXRV5TPpIeXWoSxLxhmclYxTWM5MaoHKQ8wkYIHRnVsI0k4EZJ560q5aZ8cd31Bd7claSxki9F3MsZzk3EoU5YkDBI-Sm~lmT6Hpf5LHo~vDLXeNMWb0Gd~Q59p5bfKQqDH23BkUK24vsA4j6z7aqhGYymi6Id72U-w-7J5lb~69Q49x-sFMHz5M~-r96gCoO3hIMidhb-Vme-Fp2a7JbWzMmBdpPijeNi2MnLhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Crest Hill Plan Commission on Tuesday recommended approval of zoning variances that would allow an existing four-unit apartment at 1813 North Broadway Street to be renovated and for a number of long-standing nonconforming conditions to remain after work is finished.

The commission voted 5-0 to recommend the request from A and J Rehab Properties, with the approval subject to eight conditions that staff said the owner must meet before final sign-off.

The variances cover multiple items in the Crest Hill zoning ordinance that the property cannot practically be brought into compliance with, staff said. Community and economic development consultant Ron Messer told the commission, “we're recommending that they be approved subject to 8 conditions,” and described both improvements the owner will make and existing conditions that will remain because rebuilding to full compliance would require starting over.

Why it matters: The building sits on a 13,374-square-foot lot zoned R-3 multifamily and predates current zoning, city staff said. The owner bought the property, began renovating and then demolished a central section after finding it structurally unsalvageable; under the code, that demolition would have prevented rebuilding unless the whole property was brought into full compliance. The variances allow the owner to rebuild the removed section while requiring specific upgrades to reduce nuisance and safety issues.

Key facts and commitments: Staff and the project architect said the work will reduce impervious surface on the lot to about 47 percent (the city maximum is 50 percent), pave a previously gravel driveway and parking area, provide compliant landscaping, enclose refuse containers and install downward-focused lighting in parking areas. Architect Brian Gould of VR Design and Architecture said the owner intends to “button[] up” the building, preserve the existing slab for the rebuilt section and bring siding, trim and other exterior details up to quality standards.

The variances requested (detailed in staff exhibit C) also include maintaining existing setbacks, retaining small unit sizes that do not meet current minimums, not requiring masonry on the exterior, a variance from the multifamily parking standard and allowing the driveway to remain as narrow as 12 feet at its tightest point (the current minimum is 14 feet). Ron Messer said some of those items are impractical to change without demolishing and rebuilding the entire structure.

Discussion and public input: Commissioners asked practical questions about the design and site work. Commissioner Jeff Peterson asked how the project would achieve the reduced lot coverage; Gould replied that a large concrete area in front of the units would be removed and replaced with sidewalks and green space. The architect said the project currently shows two garbage corrals on the plan but the owner may reduce that to one depending on final trash container sizing.

Vote and next steps: Commissioner Jeff Peterson moved the approval; Commissioner Cheryl Slabazewski seconded. The roll call vote was 5-0 in favor (Gordon Butler, Jeff Peterson, Ken Carroll, Cheryl Slabazewski and Bill Thomas). The plan commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the Crest Hill City Council; staff told the applicant the council is expected to hear the case at a workshop on June 23, 2025.

The approval on June 10 was to recommend the variances to the council; the council has the authority to grant final approval and any additional conditions or changes.","The Crest Hill Plan Commission recommended approval of multiple zoning variances so a renovated four-unit building at 1813 N. Broadway can be rebuilt where an owner demolished a center section. Approval is conditional on eight improvement requirements and will be forwarded to city council.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Crest Hill plan commission approves zoning text updates for vehicle, contractor, beauty and firearm uses

Plan commission approves Redemption Hour Ministry’s special use to reopen former St. Anne’s church

Crest Hill plan commission backs variances to let four-unit Broadway apartment be rebuilt