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Joliet council approves Prairie Landing amendment with 40% cap on single‑story homes; residents pressure council on proposed data center and unsolved deaths
Summary
Council amended a Prairie Landing PUD to allow two single‑story house models with a 40% cap and passed the amended ordinance; during public comment residents raised environmental and water concerns about proposed data‑center projects and demanded renewed investigations into several local deaths.
The Joliet City Council on Feb. 3 amended and approved changes to the Prairie Landing planned unit development to permit two single‑story house plans, adding an on‑the‑floor cap limiting single‑story models to 40% of total lots.
Council discussion focused on preserving the character promised to neighboring residents while accommodating market interest for ranch‑style homes. City staff explained the amendment responds to market demand; council members debated whether to adopt a cap immediately or postpone for more precise language. After discussion the council agreed the 40% threshold (48 units of 120 lots) would balance market demand and neighborhood expectations and voted to approve the amended ordinance.
During public comment earlier in the meeting, multiple residents urged the council to scrutinize proposed industrial projects. Cynthia Schutz said she opposed a proposed data center, citing concerns about noise, water and long‑term community impacts: "I just wanted to come up against the data center because it really will not help Joliet" (public comment). Andrea Bummer, who said she had reviewed the city’s strategic plan, said the plan prioritized health‑care access, environmental stewardship and water security, and she suggested the city consider a health center instead of industrial development.
Other public commenters raised safety and accountability issues. Doris Jones and Robin Anderson (who identified herself as the mother of Raven Little John) pressed for further inquiry into Raven’s 2021 death, calling it a murder and asking law enforcement and investigators to reopen and follow leads. In the council chamber, speakers demanded answers and urged officials to "do your job." The council did not take formal action on investigatory requests; those matters remain with law enforcement agencies.
Council members responded to a question about potential conflicts of interest related to the Prairie Landing proposal, with staff noting that Horton — the applicant referenced during debate — had assigned the contract to Ross Lane Develops LLC and that the mayor did not have a financial interest in the development, according to staff remarks during the meeting.
The amended Prairie Landing ordinance passed on voice vote after the on‑the‑floor cap was added. The council then moved on to other agenda items, including approvals for CenterPoint Phase 28 plats, truck‑maintenance special‑use permits, and several contract awards.
