Planning commission recommends approval of Joliet Catholic Academy athletic campus PUD amid neighbor concerns about trees, traffic and stadium proximity

The Joliet Planning Commission voted to recommend final approval of PUD-6-26, a planned unit development submitted by Joliet Catholic Academy and the Sisters of St. Francis of Mary Immaculate to create a multi-phased athletic campus on roughly 48 acres at 1201 Wyoming Avenue and 1200 North Larkin Avenue.

Staff’s presentation described a three-phase project anchored by a 5,500-seat multi-purpose athletic field that would host roughly four to eight varsity football games per year, construction of eight new tennis courts, expanded parking (increasing on-campus spaces from 481 to 933), stormwater detention improvements and landscaping buffers. The traffic and parking management plan cited in the staff report estimates accommodations for about 4,400 fans and identifies off-campus overflow parking commitments from the University of St. Francis and Will County Habitat for Humanity. A submitted sound study estimated in-field levels between 86 and 98 decibels. Staff recommended the commission forward the final PUD and recording plat to City Council with a recommendation of approval.

Dave Silverman, attorney for Joliet Catholic, told commissioners the commission’s action was a technical review following earlier preliminary PUD approval by City Council and asked for a recommendation of approval: "My name is Dave Silverman, the attorney here representing Joliet Catholic. I'd like to thank the staff for their report and their positive recommendation." Ryan Quigley, director of institutional advancement at Joliet Catholic Academy, answered residents' questions about traffic flow and staging and said the school has coordinated with the Joliet Police Department on circulation plans. Quigley said specific access points will be controlled on game days: "the closest entrance uh will be an exit. It will not be allowed to be an entrance on game days," and described gating and entrance/exit patterns intended to reduce cut-through traffic.

Several nearby residents used the public-comment period to press for details. Sherry Jerker, who identified herself as living on Plaza and Ingalls, asked about the distance from homes to the stadium and circulation of the new parking lots; staff and the applicant provided clarifying measurements, citing roughly 60 ft at one point and later clarifying an approximately 93-ft distance from Plaza and Ingalls to the south end of the multi-purpose field. A resident also raised concerns about three large trucks parked near his house; the applicant said Rushton Company would be the excavator and that tree removal and preliminary earthwork would not begin until final City Council approval and coordination with city staff.

Adina Steros (Colorado Avenue) asked whether sidewalks would be removed and how many mature trees would be cut down; the applicant responded that sidewalks would remain but that "not all of them, but most" of the trees on the property would be removed while they attempt to be "strategic" about retention. Residents also asked whether the new stadium would be similar to Joliet West Stadium; the applicant said it would be comparable in scale but smaller than the park district facility.

Commissioners then entertained a motion to recommend approval. By roll call, the commission recommended final approval of PUD-6-26 to City Council (see action record below). The staff planner said city staff would continue working with the applicant on traffic operations and that the item will appear on a future City Council agenda with a recommendation of approval.

Action record: Motion to recommend approval of PUD-6-26. Mover and seconder not specified in transcript. Roll-call outcome recorded in the hearing: yes votes from Mr. Hammick, Mr. Leone, Mr. Barton, Ms. Rodakovich, Mr. Turk and Chairman Cox; Mr. Youlits recorded an abstention. Outcome: recommended to City Council for approval.

Next steps: The commission’s recommendation advances the final PUD and recording plat to City Council for a final decision; staff said it will continue to coordinate traffic operations and outreach with the applicant and affected residents.