Will County planning panel approves multiple variances and map amendments; several solar and accessory requests granted
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Summary
At its April 7 meeting the Will County Planning & Zoning Commission approved a series of map amendments and variances — including setback, fence-height and accessory-building requests — and granted variance-extension requests for two commercial solar projects. Several items were approved on unanimous roll-call votes; one contested appeal advanced to the county board.
The Will County Board Planning and Zoning Commission approved a string of map amendments and variances during its April 7 regular meeting, granting relief for setbacks, fence heights and accessory building-area limits across multiple townships.
Staff presenters described each case and then the commission voted by roll call. Jesus Presenter, the staff presenter for the evening, explained that ZC-25-125 requested a street-yard setback reduction from 100 feet to 85 feet for a front porch built without a permit; staff recommended denial but the commission voted to approve the variance, allowing the owner to keep the porch rather than remove it.
In Manhattan Township, the commission approved ZC-25-098 (M-25-014) and related variances to create an 11-acre parcel, rezone a 2.5-acre portion from E-2 to A-1 and bring preexisting structures into compliance. Staff said the rezoning would avoid creating a split-zone parcel and would be compatible with surrounding agricultural uses.
Margaret Kenny presented ZC-26-009, a request to increase permitted accessory building area on a 2.5-acre E-2 property at 23706 South Schoolhouse Road to 3,755 square feet. Staff concluded there was no physical hardship and recommended denial; the applicant’s attorney, Heather Glackler, noted neighborhood support and cited a recent similar commission decision. After discussion the commission approved the variance.
In Lockport Township the commission approved ZC-25-137 (M-25-024) and multiple variances (VDash25Dash378, VDash26Dash008, VDash26Dash009, VDash26Dash010) to allow a commercial consolidation, expanded storage/rental operations and taller screening fences along State Street and Grandview Place. Staff flagged the request’s inconsistency with the 2012 Fairmont plan’s residential recommendation but recommended approval because the site lies in an area with growing commercial development and existing adjacent commercial/industrial uses.
The commission also approved variance-extension votes for two commercial solar projects at 2816 Chicago Street in Joliet to allow additional time to establish required ground cover and native-plant pollinator areas before construction; staff recommended the extensions due to planting and timing delays.
Votes at a glance (selected items): • ZC-25-125 / A/V-25-169 (front porch setback; owner Elizabeth Botello) — Approved by roll call, all present voted yes. • ZC-25-098 / M-25-014 and V-25-166/167/168 (Manhattan Township map amendment and variances; George and Ruby Romer) — Approved; roll-call majority yes. • ZC-26-009 / V-26-015 (accessory building area to 3,755 sq ft; Bob and Kimberly Witt) — Approved; roll-call majority yes. • ZC-25-137 / M-25-024 and V-25-378 / V-26-008 / V-26-009 / V-26-010 (Lockport Township commercial rezoning and fence/setback variances; Victor Luell Huerta) — Approved; roll call unanimous. • ZC-24-045 / VEXT-26-001 and ZC-24-046 / VEXT-26-002 (solar variance extensions) — Approved on separate roll-call votes; staff recommended approval.
Most approvals were unanimous among the six commissioners present; where a dissent occurred, the commission recorded the roll-call votes. For items that pass the commission, any required site development, building, health or road-district approvals remain conditions of subsequent permitting.
The commission closed the meeting with staff announcements about potential future text changes to solar regulations and a reminder that planning and zoning is an advisory body; the Will County Board will take final action on items that require board approval.
