Meeting Briefs: Will County Land Use & Development Committee for July 3, 2025

Green Garden Township Rezoning for Future Subdivision Approved
The committee recommended approval of a map amendment for an 81-acre property on South 88th Avenue in Green Garden Township. The applicant, represented by agent Gregory Clarke, requested changing the zoning from A-1 (Agricultural) to E-2 (Estate). The rezoning is the first step toward a future subdivision of the property. The Green Garden Township board had previously recommended approval, and the county’s Planning and Zoning Commission also voted 6-0 in favor.

Manhattan Township Rezoning for Lot Split Advances
A request to rezone a vacant property on South Kankakee Street in Manhattan Township from E-1 to E-2 was recommended for approval. The applicant, James and Julie Wandersee, plans to divide the property into two 3-acre lots following the rezoning. The Will County Health Department noted it would review the subsequent subdivision process, but no other agencies or members of the public objected. The measure passed the committee unanimously.

Ancillary Liquor Service Approved for Homer Township Restaurant
The committee unanimously backed a special use permit for ancillary liquor service at a planned restaurant in a Homer Township strip mall. The property, located at 14508 Archer Avenue, has housed a packaged liquor store since 1976. The applicant, Neel Properties LLC, plans to convert a portion of the unit into a restaurant and sought the permit to serve alcohol. Staff reported no objections from notified agencies.

Two Zoning Cases Postponed
Two agenda items were postponed at the request of the applicants. A request by Marcos D. Bibian for a rezoning and special use permit for a multi-unit building in Joliet Township (ZC-25-016) was postponed to the committee’s September 4 meeting. A request from Pivot Energy for a solar facility with several variances in Troy Township (ZC-25-028) was postponed to the August meeting.

Wesley Township Lot Split Rezoning Gets Nod
A map amendment to rezone a property in Wesley Township from A-1 to E-1 was unanimously recommended for approval. The property, located at 20139 W. Manteno Road, was bisected by the realignment of Manteno Road in 2010. The rezoning will allow the owner, Brian Milton, to legally create two separate, conforming parcels on either side of the road. No one spoke in opposition to the request.

Committee Discusses Temporary Use Permit Regulations
Following up on a previous request, Land Use Director Brian Radner presented an analysis of temporary use permits issued since 2016. He noted that of 174 applications, only 12 had generated complaints, with most issues stemming from a provision for uses not explicitly listed in the county code. Committee member Sherry Newquist expressed concern about permits being used for long-term business operations rather than short-term events. The committee directed staff to investigate potential language changes to address this concern.

Tiny Homes Advocate Pushes for Code Changes
Resident Lauren Herrera again addressed the committee during public comment, urging the adoption of Appendix Q of the International Residential Code to create clear standards for tiny homes under 400 square feet. She also proposed specific modifications to local building ordinances related to foundations, electrical codes, and prefabricated structures. Herrera is currently in a dispute with the county over her own tiny home, which is not in compliance with current codes.