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 to allow trucks to back in when filling the riding arena. Commissioners voted to approve all three variances; the motions carried with affirmative votes from the commissioners present.

The commission also approved a map amendment (ZC25‑104/MD‑25‑016) to rezone 13737 South Archer Avenue in Homer Township from R‑2 to C‑3 so an adjacent veterinary clinic can expand parking and add a small addition. Staff said the parcel lacks municipal water and is served by well and septic and found the proposed commercial use compatible with surrounding development along Archer Avenue. A neighboring resident, Katie Mazes of 13750 Cokes Road, said she supported the clinic but feared rezoning could “wrap the property in all commercial zoning” and potentially complicate future residential sales; staff and the applicant said screening and landscaping requirements would be considered during permitting. The commission approved the rezoning.

On a separate item, the board approved a special‑use permit (ZC25‑109/S‑25‑042) allowing light equipment sales, rentals and a small used‑car sales operation inside an existing building in an I‑1 industrial park in New Lenox Township. Staff said the operator expects low customer volume (about five customers per day) and recommended approval with two conditions; agent Michael Vigler told the commission they plan to repave the parking lot in spring and would work with local recommendations where feasible. The special use passed with the conditions noted.

Finally, the commission granted VEX‑25‑006, an extension request tied to variances previously approved for a proposed commercial solar energy facility west of Spencer Road. Staff explained the special use has until February 2027 to secure a building permit but the associated variances expire sooner; because planting and establishing required groundcover and pollinator plantings are season‑sensitive, the applicant requestedextensions so the required plantings can be completed in appropriate growing conditions. The commission approved four separate extension votes (two addressing required mowings and two addressing maximum ground‑cover height) for the parcels referenced.

The board also approved the proposed 2026 meeting calendar (first and third Tuesday each month) and adjourned. The meeting record shows approvals were made by the commissioners present; where roll‑call names appear in the record, votes were affirmative. Where the transcript did not list complete individual tallies for every roll call, the minutes show the motions passed by the required majority of those present.

What happens next: approved rezoning and permits are subject to building‑permit and permitting conditions (for example, screening, paving and erosion/drainage work) during the permit stage; the solar‑project extensions allow the applicant additional time to meet planting/installation conditions before variances expire.