Will County planning commission approves variances, rezoning and special‑use permits; grants solar variance extensions

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission members voted on multiple land‑use items during their Nov. 18 meeting, approving variances and a rezoning request and granting extensions for variances tied to a proposed solar energy project.

Staff presented ZC25‑096 for a property at 700 Illinois Highway in New Lenox Township, where owners applied for variances to legalize a 5.02‑acre parcel with 272 feet of frontage and to expand an existing stable. Staff recommended approval of variances for lot area (required 10 acres → existing 5.02 acres) and lot frontage (required 300 ft → existing 272 ft) but recommended denial of a requested animal‑confinement setback reduction — from the standard 50 feet to 32 feet — because staff found the building placement was a matter of the owner’s preference and could cause odor or noise impacts. The property owner, Victoria Matusic, told the commission the addition was being shifted west to keep runouts clear for horses and…