Will County OKs temporary chicken coop for Mokena summer program despite neighbor objections

The Will County Planning & Zoning Commission on July 7 approved temporary use permit TUP26-006 to allow a small chicken coop on the former Arbury Hills Elementary property at 19651 South Beechnut Drive in Mokena for an educational summer program.

Staff explained the site is zoned R5 but is an unusually large parcel (5.75 acres) now used for educational programming; the county’s accessory-use rules typically restrict poultry in R5, but staff recommended a temporary permit because the lot size can accommodate animals without adversely affecting neighbors. Staff recommended approval with two conditions: the temporary permit is valid July 8 through Jan. 4 (180 days) and no roosters are permitted.

Applicant Mohammed Nofal said the coop is small (about 3 by 5 feet), that chickens are being provided and tended by a donor/farmer, and that the program expects the birds to be removed by early September. "This is strictly a summer thing for our summer program," Nofal said.

Resident Angela Foster said she opposed the permit window extending into January and told commissioners she did not want to "look out my window and see chickens," raised concerns about coyotes in the area and suggested a privacy fence as mitigation. "I don't want to see the chickens when I look out my window," Foster said.

Commissioners and staff discussed wildlife and fencing options, confirmed neighbors were notified, and noted that if the temporary arrangement created problems, neighbors could return to the commission next year. A motion to approve the permit with the two staff conditions carried on a roll-call vote.

What happens next: the permit is temporary and limited to the stated period; county staff and neighbors will monitor for impacts and the applicant would need to return to seek additional authorization beyond the permit period.