Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for Jan. 20, 2026

Will County P&Z Commission Meeting | Jan. 20, 2026

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission met on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, to adjudicate a series of zoning variances and special use permits. The meeting was notable for the scheduling of two massive off-site hearings in March to address controversial solar farm developments.

In regular business, the commission showed leniency toward property owners in Crete and Manhattan who had built structures without permits, granting them variances to avoid demolition despite staff recommendations to the contrary. The commission also approved a disputed scrap metal facility in Mokena and moved several residential projects forward.

Wedding Venue Permit Renewed:
The commission approved a temporary use permit for a wedding and events venue at 15839 W. Doyle Road in Manhattan (Wilton Township). This is the third year the applicant, Leo Delair, has requested the use. Staff reported receiving no complaints regarding the operation, which runs generally from May through October. The approval includes nine conditions identical to previous years.

Lockport Landscape Storage:
Five Star Landscape received approval for a special use permit for outdoor storage and a fence height variance on New Avenue in Lockport. The applicant had previously received approval in 2021, but the permit lapsed due to delays in securing a building permit. The approval allows for an 8-foot fence within the street setback to screen the industrial property.

Plainfield Garage Expansion:
Equity Trust Company was granted a variance to increase the maximum accessory building area at 14425 S. Penny Lane in Plainfield. The applicant plans to demolish an existing garage and build a new 3,942-square-foot structure for personal vehicle storage. The variance allows the structure to exceed the standard 1,500-square-foot limit.

Custer Park Garage Variance:
John Harkey of Custer Park received variances to reduce street and side yard setbacks for a new detached garage at 22037 W. Smiley Road. Harkey testified that existing concrete bins on the property limited where the garage could be placed. The variance reduces the street setback from 100 feet to 42.4 feet.