Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for August 5, 2025
The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission backed two controversial projects at its August 5 meeting, unanimously approving a large-scale landscaping business on a residential lot in DuPage Township despite strong staff objections, and narrowly rezoning nearly 14 acres in Joliet Township for a truck repair facility over the protests of a neighboring resident. Both decisions highlighted the ongoing tension between industrial growth and residential character in unincorporated areas. For more information, please see our full coverage of the landscaping business approval and the truck repair facility rezoning.
The commission also greenlit two separate requests for restaurants in Frankfort Township to add liquor service for video gaming and granted a variance for an oversized residential garage in Joliet Township against staff advice. Details on these and other items are below.
Frankfort Restaurants Get Go-Ahead for Liquor, Gaming: The commission unanimously approved special use permits for two Frankfort Township restaurants to serve alcohol. Kismet Restaurant on West Lincoln Highway and Dimitri’s Best Food on South Harlem Avenue both sought the permits to become eligible for state video gaming licenses. Staff recommended approval in both cases, and no objectors spoke against the requests. The recommendations will now go to the full Will County Board for final consideration.
June 17 Minutes Approval Tabled: Action on the minutes from the June 17, 2025, Planning and Zoning Commission meeting was postponed. After some commissioners indicated they had not had a chance to fully review them, the board agreed to table the vote until its next meeting, which is scheduled for August 19.
Commissioner Gugala to Resign: It was announced that Commissioner Matthew Gugala is resigning from the Planning and Zoning Commission. Chairman Houston noted Gugala was a “very good commissioner” and lamented that it can take a long time to replace commissioners, leaving the body understaffed. Gugala was not present at the August 5 meeting.
Chance Showers And Thunderstorms
Latest News Stories
Executive Committee: Tension Rises as Republican Whip Removed from Panel
Ad-Hoc Committee: County Stripped of Power to Regulate Motor Races, Must Drop Solicitor Fees Due to State Statutes
Commission Overrides Staff Recommendation, Approves Manhattan Township Barn Expansion
Manhattan-Elwood Library Board Approves Over $21,000 for Playroom Renovation and Picture Book Shelving
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Manhattan Township for January 13, 2026
Jackson Township Board Approves Elwood Baseball Donation, Reviews Food Pantry Transition
Meeting Summary and Briefs: Village of Manhattan Board for February 17, 2026
Executive Committee Advances “Project Northwinds”: 2,475 Jobs and $346 Million Investment Proposed for Former Caterpillar, Lion Electric Sites
Land Use Committee Advances Mokena Scrap Yard and Homer Glen Landscape Business Over Local Objections
Manhattan School District 114 Honors Staff and First Responders Following Tragic Bus Accident
District 210 Reports Insurance Deficit Amid National Healthcare Cost Spikes; Finances Remain Stable
Planning Commission Backs 5-MW Peotone Solar Farm; Developer Pledges Pollinator Habitat and Community Funds
Joliet Junior College Board Approves $2 Tuition Increase Amidst Heated Debate Over Enrollment and Spending