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Will County panel approves Homer Glen landscape business with berm-and-planting condition
Summary
The Will County Planning and Zoning Board recommended approval of a special use permit to relocate a landscape business to 17958 South Cedar Road in Homer Glen, adding a condition requiring a minimum 650‑foot berm with plantings along the south property line after neighbors raised noise and traffic concerns.
The Will County Planning and Zoning Board voted to approve a special use permit for a proposed landscape business at 17958 South Cedar Road in Homer Glen, adding a condition that the applicant install a minimum 650‑foot berm with plantings along the south property line.
Planner Marguerite Kennedy told the board the applicant proposes to operate the business on roughly 16 developable acres, with a 1,600‑square‑foot storage building, a 2,500‑square‑foot office and four 625‑square‑foot material bins. Kennedy said access requires permits from county DOT and that the site lies within multiple facility planning areas; staff recommended approval with two standard conditions and noted the village of New Lenox had suggested several additional conditions.
Attorney Richard Kavanaugh, speaking for the applicant, said the owner plans a 4‑foot berm with evergreen plantings along the road perimeter and would not remove the existing tree line. "We have no interest in taking down any of the trees that are on the south side to begin with," Kavanaugh said, and added the applicant preferred gravel for the main storage area while agreeing to asphalt customer parking and other code requirements.
Neighbors John and Jennifer Fife asked the board to require stronger buffering and to relocate material bins farther from their house. "Our biggest concern is the noise," John Fife said, citing semi trucks, loaders and early‑morning activity. Jennifer Fife added worries about diesel exhaust and safety on the busy Cedar/Bruce curve near the site.
A commissioner moved to add a third condition requiring a minimum 650‑foot berm with plantings along the south property line; the amendment was seconded and approved by roll call. The commission then approved the special use with the staff conditions plus the berm-and-planting condition. The decision is a recommendation that will proceed to the county board in the normal approval process.
The staff report said DOT may require right‑of‑way dedication and additional roadway improvements, and that the applicant will have two years to obtain required permits if the special use ultimately is adopted by the County Board.
