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Joliet council deadlocks on special‑use permit for 115 N. Center; permit fails 4‑4
Summary
A motion to grant a special‑use permit allowing an automobile storage lot at 115 North Center Street ended in a 4‑4 tie, leaving the permit denied; planning commission had recommended denial and some council members raised enforcement concerns.
A divided Joliet City Council on Jan. 21 failed to approve a special‑use permit that would have allowed an automobile storage lot for an existing used‑car business at 115 North Center Street after a 4‑4 tie vote.
The matter returned to council following a prior denial by the planning commission and an earlier council vote. At the public comment portion of the meeting, Nate Washburn of KGG LLC urged denial, saying the lot would pose safety and logistical hazards to nearby property owners and businesses. Valen Shivani spoke for her father, Buya Shivani, owner of First Choice Auto Sales, asking the council to approve the permit so the dealership could use adjacent property it owns to park overflow inventory; Shivani said the family would repave, stripe parking, add lighting and comply with city requests.
City staff told council they had recommended approval with seven conditions designed to address neighborhood concerns: no sales or repair of automobiles on the property; no storage of inoperable vehicles; property repaved and parking marked prior to use; adjacent sidewalk and alley apron replaced within six months; the special use would terminate if the associated variation of use for 201 Center Street is revoked or if the use is abandoned for more than one year; a building permit or certificate of occupancy must be obtained within 180 days or the special use will lapse; and the city may rehear and revoke the permit if the property is declared a public nuisance.
Council members were split. Supporters said the applicant had agreed to the conditions and that police records did not indicate safety problems. Opponents cited prior planning commission recommendations against the permit, skepticism about enforcement of conditions and neighborhood safety concerns. After the tie, staff and the mayor confirmed the motion failed.
Why it matters
The vote keeps the parcel’s current restrictions in place and highlights council concern about whether conditions attached to special uses can be reliably enforced. The case also illustrates how planning commission recommendations can differ from council action; planning commissioners again advised denial but council could have chosen to approve with conditions.
Action taken
- Motion to adopt ordinance approving the special‑use permit for automobile storage lot at 115 North Center Street — failed (4 yes, 4 no).
