Crest Hill plan commission recommends subdividing lot to transfer Stanley Gustafson Park to Lockport Township Park District

Crest Hill, Ill. — The Crest Hill Plan Commission on Nov. 13 unanimously recommended that the City Council approve a subdivision and multiple zoning variations that will allow the Lockport Township Park District to take formal ownership of Stanley Gustafson Park.

Community and Economic Development Director Daniel Ritter and city planner Artifa presented the city’s application to divide the 8,176‑square‑foot parcel at 2227 Parkrose Street into two lots, separating the existing public park and playground from the city’s water utility building (Well No. 4). Artifa said the city is seeking approval of a preliminary and final plat of subdivision (case SU25‑4‑11‑1), a special‑use permit to recognize the park as a permitted special use in the R‑1 Single‑Family Residence district, and multiple variations (V‑25‑4‑11‑1) to bring existing conditions into compliance. "The applicant for this application is the City of Crest Hill," Artifa said while outlining the request.

Staff recommended conditional approval, noting the parcel’s size, shape and location make it more suitable as a low‑intensity public park than as a standard residential lot. The applications request reductions to the minimum lot area (from 10,000 to 4,426 square feet) and minimum lot width (from 75 feet to 60 feet), allow certain open fencing and recreational equipment to remain within required yard setbacks, and permit an existing off‑premises sign to remain in the public right‑of‑way under the Chapter 15.12 sign code. The staff report referenced application exhibits dated Sept. 22, 2025 and recommended approval provided the project is implemented in substantial conformance with those documents.

The proposed subdivision and zoning approvals do not include any site improvements; the goal is to clear title and allow the park district to apply for grants and insurance that require ownership. Ritter told the commission the city will retain the well lot and intends to keep Well No. 4 available for maintenance or emergency use even after Lake Michigan water becomes available. Resident Kevin Deal asked, "What's gonna go on with that building?" and staff responded the well will remain under city control for the foreseeable future.

Public comment at the hearing was strongly supportive. A youth speaker identified as Jerith said, "I would love to keep this park." Longtime neighbor William Slomack (2128 Webb Street) told the commission he has lived across the street for more than 51 years and described how children use the park for morning and after‑school activities: "It's a well utilized park." Slomack asked whether the city planned to transfer the parcel to Lockport Township Park District; staff confirmed that transferring ownership to the park district is the planned next step under a separate agreement.

After public comment, Commissioner Ken Carroll moved to recommend the city’s petitions for preliminary and final plat, the special‑use permit for Stanley Gustafson Park, and the requested variations. Commissioner John Stanton seconded; the commission recorded a 5–0 roll‑call vote in favor (Ken Carroll, John Stanton, Jeff Peterson, Gordon Butler and Bill Thomas voting yes). The commission also voted to close the public hearing earlier in the meeting following public comment.

The Plan Commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council. Staff said the item is scheduled for a City Council work session on Nov. 24; the council plans to discuss the proposal Dec. 1 and return Dec. 7 for an official vote.

If the City Council approves the subdivision and related zoning actions, the transfer of the park parcel to the Lockport Township Park District will be completed under a separate transfer agreement; the city emphasized no physical changes to the park are proposed as part of the approval and said the park district has expressed intent to reinvest in and maintain the site.

Background: Stanley Gustafson Park has existed at the location for decades and has been publicly accessible for many years. Robinson Engineering Ltd. prepared the submitted plat and survey. The plan commission’s recommendation is advisory; final legal approvals and any property conveyance will require City Council action and a separate transfer agreement.