Land Use Committee Advances Mokena Scrap Yard and Homer Glen Landscape Business Over Local Objections

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | February 5, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Land Use Committee approved special use permits for two businesses in Frankfort and Homer Townships, overruling objections from local municipalities regarding traffic safety and zoning compatibility.

Key Points:

• Mokena Scrap Facility: A special use permit was approved for an existing scrap metal business at 11103 W. 189th Place to allow outdoor collection bins.

• Municipal Opposition: The Villages of Mokena and Frankfort Township opposed the scrap facility citing noise, aesthetics, and residential proximity.

• Homer Glen Landscape Business: A landscape business relocation to 17958 S. Cedar Road was approved despite safety concerns regarding the property’s location on a dangerous “S-curve.”

• Safety Requirements: The landscape business approval requires a traffic study and dedication of land to the county to improve road safety.

JOLIET – The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday, February 5, 2026, advanced two business applications despite formal objections from neighboring municipalities and townships.

Scrap Metal Collection in Frankfort Township
The committee voted 4-2 to approve a special use permit for AJ Inter Estate LLC to operate an outdoor recyclable material drop-off facility at 11103 W. 189th Place in Frankfort Township.

The property, zoned Limited Industrial (I-1), already houses a metal scrap business. The permit allows the business to place collection bins outside during business hours (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.) to accept consumer recyclables.

The Village of Mokena and Frankfort Township opposed the request, citing potential noise, odors, and traffic congestion near residential homes. However, the applicant’s representative stated the bins would be moved indoors nightly and that the operation generates minimal traffic.

“Nothing is really changing from the operation what they’ve been doing. It’s just but we need just a permission from the county to approve to collect the metal outside,” the agent told the board.

Landscape Business on Cedar Road
In a separate case, the committee voted 4-2 to approve a special use permit for a landscape business at 17958 South Cedar Road in Homer Township.

Homer Township Supervisor Sue Steilen appeared before the committee to voice strong concerns regarding traffic safety. The property is located on a notorious “S-curve” section of Cedar Road where Bruce Road intersects.

“There have been four fatalities in that section of road… in the last eight years,” Steilen said. “When you are coming northbound on Cedar… your eye is focused on Bruce Road to the right… you’re not paying attention to the left where the entrance of this business is.”

The developer, represented by attorney Richard Kavanagh, agreed to transfer a 1.2-acre triangle of land to the Will County Division of Transportation (DOT) to help facilitate future road safety improvements. County staff confirmed that a full traffic impact study and sight distance study would be required before any building permits are issued.

“The Will County Division of Transportation is requiring a traffic impact study… They are asking for right-of-way dedication,” said county staff member Marguerite Kenny.

Both measures will move to the full County Board for final approval.