Meeting Summary and Briefs: Will County Planning and Zoning Commission for December 16, 2025

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | December 16, 2025

Overall Meeting Summary
The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission navigated attendance issues during its December 16, 2025, meeting, beginning with only four of seven commissioners present. This bare minimum quorum forced the postponement of two cases due to a conflict of interest for Commissioner Michael Carruthers, who had to abstain from voting on them. Without his vote, the remaining three commissioners could not legally hear the cases.

Commissioner Kim Mitchell arrived later in the meeting, restoring a five-person quorum. This allowed the board to untable and vote on a complex zoning case in Joliet and hear a contested special use permit in Homer Township. The meeting concluded with the introduction of a new county planner, Alec Van Patton.

News Briefs

Solar Farm and Commercial Variances Extended:
The commission approved one-year extensions for two previously approved projects that had not yet completed the permitting process. Greenpath Monee LandCo LLC received an extension for a solar energy facility in Monee Township regarding variances for ground cover height and mowing frequency. In Lockport Township, J & C Real Estate Dev LLC received an extension for setback variances regarding a planned commercial building on State Street. Both extensions now run until mid-2026.

Crete and Manhattan Cases Postponed:
Two scheduled zoning cases were tabled until the January 20, 2026, meeting due to a lack of a voting quorum. The cases involved a rear yard setback variance for Khalid Ghaben in Crete Township and an animal confinement setback variance for Brittany Kaup in Manhattan Township. Commissioner Carruthers abstained from both items due to a business interest, leaving the board without the required four votes to proceed until a fifth member arrived later in the evening.

Staff Changes Announced:
The Land Use Department announced the hiring of a new planner, Alec Van Patton. Staff also noted that planner Jesus Briseno is currently taking personal time.