P&Z Commission Approves Side Yard Setback Variance for Joliet Detached Garage

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | March 3, 2026

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a variance to reduce a side yard setback on a Joliet property, allowing the homeowner to build a new detached garage along an existing driveway.

Joliet Setback Variance Key Points:

• The variance for Case ZC-26-005 reduces the eastern side yard setback from 10 feet to 4.50 feet.

• The applicant is constructing a 768-square-foot detached garage.

• The neighboring property owner submitted a formal letter stating she had no objection to the encroachment.

JOLIET, Ill. — During its Tuesday, March 3, 2026, meeting, the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission granted a variance request for a Joliet property owner seeking to construct a new detached garage on a uniquely shaped lot.

The variance, Case ZC-26-005, was submitted by Aaron Popplewell for a property located at 2444 Plum Street in Plainfield Township. The applicant requested to reduce the minimum eastern side yard setback from 10 feet to 4.50 feet.

County planner Kelli Kruczynski presented the details of the R-3 zoned property, which consists of four separate property identification numbers (PINs) acting as a single zoning lot. The property currently features a two-story residence with a 528-square-foot attached garage. The applicant intends to construct an additional 768-square-foot detached garage for personal storage.

Kruczynski explained that the unique placement of the existing asphalt driveway along the eastern property line limits alternative locations for the new structure.

“Strict enforcement of the setback would require relocating or expanding the existing driveway, resulting in additional cost and site disturbance,” Kruczynski stated.

Staff recommended approval of the request, noting that the overall accessory building area complies with the maximum limits for the R-3 district. Additionally, the directly abutting property owner to the east submitted a formal letter indicating she had no objection to the setback encroachment.

Vice Chairman John Kiefner noted the unusual, arrow-like layout of the combined parcels shown on the zoning map.

“My hat’s off to the most unique lot formation I’ve ever seen,” Kiefner joked prior to the vote. “The arrow points right to the tip of where the treasure is buried.”

The commission unanimously approved the variance.