PZC Grants Variance for Oversized Garage in Joliet Township, Reversing Staff Recommendation

Article Summary:

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously approved a variance for a Joliet Township homeowner to build a garage addition that exceeds the county’s size limits. The approval came despite a staff recommendation for denial, which characterized the request as being based on personal preference rather than a unique hardship.

Joliet Township Garage Variance Key Points:

• The variance increases the maximum allowed accessory building area from 1,200 to 1,783 square feet for a property on Blackhawk Street.

• Homeowner Jose D. Huerta stated the larger garage is needed to store his collection of four classic cars, two of which are currently kept outside.

• County staff recommended denial, finding that the request did not meet the standards for a variance and could negatively alter the character of the locality by being one of the largest accessory buildings in the area.

JOLIET, IL — A Joliet Township resident will be allowed to expand his garage to nearly 1,800 square feet after the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission unanimously voted to grant him a variance, overruling its own staff’s recommendation to deny the request.

Homeowner Jose D. Huerta sought the variance to build a 530-square-foot addition onto his existing detached garage at 512 Blackhawk Street, bringing the total accessory building area to 1,783 square feet—well over the 1,200-square-foot maximum allowed by the zoning ordinance.

Huerta told the commission the expansion was necessary for his hobby. “I own like four classic cars and I like to storage all my cars inside the garage,” he said.

Will County Land Use Department staffer Kelli Kruczynski recommended the commission deny the variance. In her analysis, she stated that the request was based on “a personal preference to build an addition” and not due to unique circumstances with the property. Staff also found that granting the variance “may alter the essential character of the locality,” noting that it would become one of the largest accessory buildings in the immediate area.

The commission, however, sided with the homeowner. Following brief testimony from Huerta, the board voted 6-0 to approve the variance without discussion. Huerta will now need to obtain the required building permits for the project.