Will County approves map amendment and special-use for Bridal Road CCDD facility; opponents had raised wetlands concerns

Will County’s board voted Feb. 19 to approve a map amendment and a special-use permit for a clean construction and demolition debris (CCDD) fill operation on vacant land near Bridal Road in Joliet (ZC25111).

Land-use staff recommended the map amendment and the applicant’s representatives said they would accept county-recommended conditions and additional mitigation to address timing issues raised by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR). On the map-amendment vote the board recorded 13 members in favor. The subsequent vote to grant the special-use permit also carried after discussion about monitoring, containment and state regulation of CCDD facilities.

Opponents raised environmental concerns during public comment. Kathy Hullena of the Will County Environmental Network cited hydric soils, a National Wetlands Inventory designation and IDNR recommendations that a qualified biologist perform a survey and habitat assessment because records indicate state-listed species — including osprey and the rusty patched bumblebee — in the vicinity. Hullena said staff photos showed a wooded area had been clear-cut outside the IDNR-recommended seasonal work window and argued that the applicant had not complied with IDNR recommendations, urging denial.

Patricia Nugent summarized a request from Openlands, a regional conservation group, asking the board to deny the rezoning because, she said, required species surveys and wetland assessments were not completed.

The applicant’s counsel, Nathaniel Washburn, and land-use staff said the applicant agreed to make timing-related recommendations mandatory and to add screening or plantings if required. County staff also explained that CCDD facilities are regulated by state statute and that loads are monitored for materials allowed under the program (dirt, rocks, concrete without rebar, sand), and county inspections occur on a regular basis.

Board discussion focused on the appropriateness of the site for industrial use given nearby industrial activity, the statutory definition and monitoring of CCDD, and the need to ensure state-mandated habitat surveys and Army Corps wetland delineations are completed where required. The board approved the ordinance (ORD26-026) altering the map from A1 to I2 and subsequently approved the special-use permit for the CCDD operation.