Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Behavioral Health topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commission backs 13-bed women's residential rehab at former commercial site in Joliet area
Summary
Will County commission recommended approval Dec. 2 of a map amendment and special use to convert a C4 commercial building to a 13-bed residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility operated by Existential Counselor Society, with three conditions; one local property owner voiced concern about future corridor industrial plans.
The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission voted Dec. 2 to recommend approval of a zoning change and a special use permit that would allow Existential Counselor Society (ECS) to operate a 13-bed residential drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility for women in the Joliet area.
Staff explained the site is a 44,000-square-foot lot currently zoned C4; the applicant requested a map amendment to R5 and a special use permit for a residential treatment facility that would operate 24/7 with roughly eight on-site employees and 13 beds. Staff recommended approval of the map amendment, the special use with three conditions, and a minor variance to the street-yard setback, saying the commercial building can be repurposed and the area contains a mix of residential, commercial and industrial uses.
Dr. Bipin Sharma, founder and CEO of Existential Counselor Society, said ECS has operated residential treatment for men in Will County since 2016 and is proposing a female-only program in response to local need, citing county overdose and treatment-access statistics. "We need a dedicated, safe, trauma-informed program for women," Dr. Sharma said, describing the facility's supervision, intake criteria and clinical model.
Art Ziesmer, who said he represents Azith Properties, said he supports treatment programs but worried that changing the parcel to residential R5 could affect longer-term plans to develop industry along the corridor. Staff and commissioners noted conditions and building-code processes would apply to future uses.
The commission approved the map amendment, the special use with three conditions, and the variance on roll call; each approval will be forwarded to the County Board for final action.
The applicant said it will meet all permitting and code requirements for utilities, drainage and building renovations before opening. The commission's recommendation does not itself permit construction or operation; those approvals follow standard building- and fire-safety reviews.
