Will County panel recommends rezoning, special use for Brandon Road fill site despite wetlands and karst concerns

Will County Planning and Zoning recommended approval Tuesday of a request to rezone about 11.5 acres near Brandon Road from agricultural (A-1) to light industrial (I-2) and to permit clean construction and demolition debris (CCDD) fill operations, despite residents’ warnings about wetlands and karst geology.

Staff presenter Kelly Krasinski told commissioners the site, just south of the Des Plaines River Valley Enterprise Zone and about 30 feet from Joliet's boundary, has a mix of agricultural and industrial uses nearby and that the county's Land Resource Management Plan and surrounding land uses support an industrial designation. Staff recommended the map amendment and the special use permit with four conditions, including compliance with IDNR suggestions noted in agency comments and required state and federal permits.

Resident Patricia Nugent told the commission the 2007 Joliet Southside comprehensive plan and a Will-South Cook Soil & Water Conservation report show portions of the strip as floodplain or hydric soils, and she identified a freshwater marsh that she said lies partially on the parcel. Nugent also cited a 1994 Illinois State Geological Survey report describing sinkholes and karst features in the area and urged commissioners to deny the request or require additional habitat and hydrogeologic study prior to approval.

Nathaniel Washburn, attorney for the applicant (Brandon Road CCDD LLC / Brandon Road CCD D LLC), said the parcel was purchased from Lincoln Stone Quarry and is an isolated, narrow strip bounded by utility easements and industrial uses. He told the commission the applicant's intent is primarily to place clean fill (dirt, crushed concrete/asphalt) to bring the parcel to grade for potential future industrial use, not to operate as a staging yard moving material onto and off the site. Washburn said the applicant will comply with IDNR conditions recommended in its comment letter and with state permitting and engineering requirements that will govern allowable fill depths, stormwater controls and erosion measures.

Commissioners asked staff whether Will County maintains a karst map and whether zoning or county code prohibits development in karst areas. Staff said the zoning ordinance does not prohibit development in karst areas and that the county does not have in-house karst expertise; state and federal agencies and later engineering review will address many technical aspects. Staff also said a jurisdictional determination by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could be required if wetlands connected to navigable waters are present.

After discussion and public testimony, a commissioner moved to recommend approval of the map amendment and the special use with the staff's four conditions. The motion passed on roll call and the item will go to the county board for final action.

The commission's action is a recommendation; state permits and any Army Corps jurisdictional findings must be obtained before fill operations could begin. The staff conditions and the required state reviews are intended to address the ecological and hydrogeologic concerns raised at the hearing.