Article Summary: The Will County Board approved a special use permit and two variances for Crete Township, allowing for the installation of a new on-premise dynamic display sign at its community center. The digital sign will be used for township announcements and emergency alerts.

Crete Township Sign Key Points:

• Project: Crete Township will modify an existing sign to include a dynamic digital display at its community center at 25930 S. Cottage Grove Avenue.

• Purpose: The sign will communicate township announcements, community center events, and emergency information, including directing residents to the center if it is used as an emergency shelter.

• Variances: The board approved variances to reduce the required setback from a nearby residence (from 300 feet to 219 feet) and from the street right-of-way (from 10 feet to 7 feet).

JOLIET, IL – Crete Township received approval from the Will County Board on Thursday to install a new digital sign at its community center, a move officials say will improve communication with residents.

The board unanimously granted a special use permit to allow an on-premise dynamic display in a residential zoning district, along with two necessary variances for its location at 25930 S. Cottage Grove Avenue.

Katie Nagy, an attorney representing the township, told the board the sign will not be used for commercial purposes. Instead, its function is to share “township related messages such as township announcements, events occurring in the community center, and alerting the public to any emergencies.”

Nagy also noted that the township is considering using the community center as an emergency shelter, making the sign a critical tool for directing residents in a crisis.

The existing sign structure, which has been in place for over 20 years, will be modified to incorporate the new digital display. Because the sign is located closer to a residence and the road than current county code allows, the township required two variances. The board approved reducing the setback from the nearest residential structure from 300 feet to 219 feet, and from the street right-of-way from 10 feet to seven feet, allowing the sign to remain in its current footprint.