Scrap Metal Drop-Off Near Mokena Approved by Single Vote

Will County Board Meeting | February 19, 2026

Article Summary: A contested proposal for an outdoor recyclable material drop-off facility in Frankfort Township passed by a single vote following objections from neighboring municipalities. The facility will operate on a 1-acre parcel in an industrial subdivision.

Mokena Scrap Facility Key Points:

• Location: 11103 W. 189th Place, Mokena (Frankfort Township).

• Request: Special Use Permit for outdoor recyclable material drop-off facilities (metal scrap).

• Vote: Passed 10-9.

• Opposition: The Village of Mokena and Frankfort Township submitted letters of objection citing noise, debris, and incompatibility with residential areas.

The Will County Board on Thursday, February 19, 2026, narrowly approved a special use permit for a scrap metal drop-off facility in Frankfort Township by a vote of 10-9.

The applicant, AJ Inter Estate LLC, requested the permit to allow customers to drop off scrap metal in movable containers outside an existing building at 11103 W. 189th Place. The property is zoned I-1 (Limited Industrial).

Land Use Committee Chair Frankie Pretzel (R-New Lenox) noted that the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission had recommended approval by a vote of 6-0, and the Land Use Committee had recommended approval by a vote of 5-1.

However, the proposal faced significant opposition from local governments. Board Member Jim Richmond (R-Mokena), who represents District 4 where the project is located, stated his opposition.

“This is in District 4 in our town and I’ve gotten letters both from the village [of Mokena] as well as from the township requesting this be denied,” Richmond said.

According to the agenda packet, the Village of Mokena expressed concerns about odors, noise, debris, and traffic impacting nearby residential homes. The Village of Frankfort also objected to the project.

Board Member Steve Balich (R-Homer Glen) also voiced opposition, stating that the applicant failed to demonstrate a hardship required to justify the special use. “I’m a no vote on that too,” Balich said.

Despite the local opposition, the measure passed with the minimum number of votes required. Voting in favor were members VanDuyne, Pretzel, Winfrey, Bullock, Freeman, Revis, Berkowicz, Hickey, Costa, and Traynere. Voting against were Deane-Schlottman, Ogalla, Butler, Balich, Richmond, Williams, Brooks, Logan, and Ortiz.