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Will County committee approves rezoning for CCDD fill at former Michigan Beach but rejects special use permit
Summary
The committee approved a map amendment to rezone the former Michigan Beach/Joliet Beach Club property to I-2 to allow clean construction and demolition debris (CCDD) fill operations but did not approve the special use permit required to continue CCDD operations after debate over traffic, drainage, and impacts near schools.
The Will County Land Use and Development Committee split its decision on a proposal to regularize clean construction and demolition debris (CCDD) fill operations at the former Michigan Beach (also called Joliet Beach Club) on Rowell Avenue.
Planning staff presented ZC25-081, saying the site was previously a quarry, later a recreational lake, and that state and local rules tightly limit CCDD materials to uncontaminated soils, brick, concrete (no rebar) and asphalt; materials must be tested, inspected and documented. Staff recommended conditions including an after‑the‑fact site development permit, testing and reporting, and coordination with the City of Joliet and the Forest Preserve on future development and trail connections. The planning and zoning commission recommended approval of the map amendment 4–2 and included conditions on the special use permit.
Multiple residents told the committee the site’s only practical access is Raul/Rowell Avenue, which passes schools (Woodland, Thompson) and a residential area; they argued that truck traffic, dust, and potential flooding would harm residents and kids on school routes. Ken Carlson, attorney for the applicant, and owner Gary Schumel argued the CCDD definition excludes contaminated materials and that the intermittent fill would stop the lake’s current large outflow, potentially improving aquifer conditions. The applicant said heavy activity would be predominantly for Austin Tyler Construction projects and that truck routing would be managed.
The committee voted to approve the map amendment rezoning the property to I-2, recognizing the site’s industrial context to the north and the long-standing lake/quarry history. However, when members voted on the special use permit for CCDD fill operations (the operational permit with conditions), the motion failed on committee floor after concerns about truck traffic, duration of filling (potentially years), and school safety were emphasized.
The committee directed that any future activity must satisfy the county’s site development and permitting process, including stormwater and soil testing requirements; the applicant and staff will need to address the engineering and traffic routing details before a new operational approval would be considered.
