The Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals voted unanimously to recommend approval of a special-use permit for a truck maintenance facility proposed at 3501 Channahon Road, forwarding the application to the city council with a recommendation to approve.

Staff described the 4.7-acre site, its annexation history and the proposed development: a 24,300-square-foot building with about 18,000 square feet of mechanic bays and a 6,300-square-foot office, roughly 61 trailer stalls, and an initial staff of about five employees (potentially up to ten). Staff said the owner operates Interstate Freights LLC and estimated around four truck trips per day tied to maintenance needs (about seven on Fridays). Staff recommended approval with conditions including required landscape, berming, fencing along the east property line, removal of an eastern curb cut if truck parking were located on that side, enrollment in a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes pilot program, and required public improvements prior to occupancy.

Heather Glackler, attorney for the petitioner, told the board the facility is for truck maintenance rather than warehousing and said the owner will comply with city requirements: "This is not a warehouse. This is a trucking maintenance facility," she said.

Nearby residents testified in opposition with environmental and traffic concerns. Elaine Pool, whose family owns property east of the site, urged the board to consider well-water impacts and drainage into Rock Run Creek: "We've seen other developments come and they actually flood out the houses... there's a concern about the impact to the environment and also to the residents that live there." Kathy Link echoed environmental concerns and said stormwater and truck-washing waste must be examined more closely.

Gary Dillman, an engineer who addressed the board, described stormwater controls and treatment systems the petitioner intends to use during engineering review, including underground detention structures and a triple-basin treatment system for wastewater: "All the water will be maintained on the property in a storm trap... It's all stored underground... All the environmental waste that comes out of there is taken out through a triple basin on the opposite side of the building," he said. He added that engineering plans would be reviewed by the city and any permitting agencies.

During the hearing a commenter provided an estimated project cost of about $7,500,000. Board members then moved and seconded to recommend approval; the roll call was unanimous in favor, and the petition will move to city council for final action.

The city council will make the final determination; the board’s recommendation is advisory. Residents were told they may follow the item on upcoming council agendas.