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Will County Board delays decision on Torres special‑use request for horses after neighborhood protests
Summary
The board postponed action on ZC25002, a special‑use and variance request by Hernando Torres to keep horses and expand accessory structures on a 5.7‑acre property, after multiple residents testified and neighbors raised health, odor and nuisance complaints.
The Will County Board voted May 15 to postpone action on ZC25002, a request from property owner Hernando (Hernando/Hernando Torres) for a special‑use permit to keep horses and variances for accessory building area, animal units and lot frontage.
The applicant told the board he owns about 5.7 acres and currently keeps goats, chickens and a miniature pony; he said he seeks the special use primarily to permit horses. “I have 2 goats, I have a couple chickens. ... I do have a miniature pony as well,” he said during public testimony.
Why it mattered: Neighbors said the property already exceeds permitted animal units and raised complaints about burning of animal waste, odor, stray animals, and insufficient confinement. Supporters said family members, including children with special needs, benefit from animal therapy and requested more time to resolve permitting and variance issues.
Public testimony and concerns
Christina Gomez, who said she was representing the family, asked the board for leeway to allow animals as a therapeutic resource for her daughter. “I have a special needs daughter. She has Down syndrome... I just really I honestly cannot afford that,” Gomez said, urging the board to allow space for safe, affordable animal contact.
Opponents concentrated on nuisance, safety and code compliance. Denise Ross, a neighbor, said she had organized a petition and said the Torres property already exceeded allowed units and engaged in suspected illegal disposal and burning of waste: “He also has an alternative motive for that building. He has put the cart before the horse,” Ross said, asking the board to deny additional animals.
Neighbor Jose Lopez described repeated odor and open‑burning complaints to nearby residents and asked for enforcement and accountability.
Postponement and next steps
County Board Chair Pretzel moved to postpone the ZC25002 matter to the June full board meeting; the motion carried at the May 15 session. The board transcript records that the applicant agreed to a postponement and to permitting staff inspecting the property as needed.
Clarifying details from the record
The application requests variances for accessory building area (from 1,800 sq ft to 4,253 sq ft listed on the agenda), for animal units (from 5 to 13) and for lot frontage (from 65 ft to 1.53 ft per agenda materials). The applicant stated his intent to remain within the allowed five units if horses were approved and that he had sold animals that were previously not permitted.
Ending
The board’s postponement gives staff additional time to verify existing units, confirm compliance steps and allow the applicant to resolve outstanding code and site‑condition concerns before the next full board meeting in June.
