Will-County-Board-Meeting-June-18-2025

Will County Board Upholds Zoning Denials, Rejecting Developer Appeals

The Will County Board on Wednesday backed its Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC), denying two separate appeals from property owners who sought to overturn the commission’s recommendations against their projects. Both appeals failed to secure the 17-vote supermajority required by county ordinance to override a PZC decision.

The first case involved a request by Hernando Torres to build a barn of over 5,000 square feet on his property on State Line Road in Crete Township, far exceeding the 1,000 square feet normally allowed. The board voted 15-5 in favor of overturning the PZC’s denial, but the motion failed as it fell two votes short of the supermajority threshold.

Supporters, like Member Daniel Butler, argued the barn was necessary to store a year’s worth of hay and house animals, and was smaller than other barns in the vicinity that had received variances. “He still has a garage which is 800 [square feet], so they count that against it,” Butler explained. “But the barn itself is not really that big for that property.”

However, Member Julie Berkowicz questioned the significant size variance. “The maximum size is over a thousand, but the barn that they want to build is over 5,000 square feet. So that’s quite a change in the variance,” she noted.

In the second case, the board considered an appeal from Peter Krzyzanowski, who sought a variance to build a new home just three feet from his property line on Dell Park Avenue in Lockport Township. The standard setback is 10 feet. This appeal also failed, receiving 16 votes in favor—one shy of the required 17.

Member David Oxley, who represents the district, supported the applicant, noting the property was a narrow 40-foot lot created decades ago. “The way he’s situating it on the lot, it would not prove any hardship on the neighbors. There’s plenty of room between the houses,” Oxley said.

Concerns were raised about the proximity to the neighboring property. “I think that 3 feet is not enough room if those meters wind up having to be placed on that wall,” Berkowicz commented.

The two failed appeals underscore the significant hurdle developers face in convincing the full County Board to reverse a negative recommendation from its appointed zoning commission.

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Frankfort Board Approves New Wendy’s on Route 30 With Numerous Modifications

A new Wendy's restaurant is set to be built at the northwest corner of U.S. Route 30 and Frankfort Square Road after the Frankfort Village Board unanimously approved the project...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Historic Downtown Frankfort Property Granted Deck and Patio Variances

The owners of a historic mixed-use building in downtown Frankfort have received approval for six zoning variances to construct a new paver patio and a second-floor rear deck. The Frankfort...
MH 114 June 2

Manhattan School Board Approves Staff Changes, Healthcare Extension in Special Session

Manhattan School District 114's Board of Education approved several personnel changes and a healthcare extension during a special meeting Monday evening, conducting most of its business in closed session. The...
Frankfort-Village-Board-Meeting-Graphic

Frankfort Approves $1.3 Million in Bills, Including Annual Insurance Payment

The Frankfort Village Board authorized over $1.3 million in payments at its meeting Monday, with nearly half of the total amount covering the village's annual insurance premiums. Trustees unanimously approved...
Meeting Briefs

School District 114 June 2 Meeting Briefs

Staff Departures: Manhattan School District 114 accepted the resignations of Emily Corcoran and Caroline Pesa-Miller, both effective at the end of the 2025 school year. The board approved both resignations...
Meeting Briefs

Meeting Briefs: Frankfort Village Board for June 2, 2025

Wendy's Project Approved with Multiple Variances: The Village Board gave final approval for a new Wendy's restaurant at U.S. Route 30 and Frankfort Square Road. The project required a major change...
frankfort-park-district.1

Frankfort Park Board Holds Closed-Door Talks on Five Oaks HOA Dispute

The Frankfort Park District Board of Commissioners entered into a closed executive session on Tuesday, May 27, to discuss pending litigation concerning the Five Oaks Park parcel, signaling a deepening...
MH VB 5--22

Manhattan Board Changes Meeting Time, Limits Public Comment

Village moves to 5:30 p.m. start time and reduces speaking period from five to three minutes The Village of Manhattan Board of Trustees approved two ordinance changes Tuesday that will...
MH VB 5--22

Manhattan Challenges Neighboring Villages to Pop Tab Competition

Community fundraising effort for Ronald McDonald House expands to include multiple villages The Village of Manhattan has officially challenged neighboring communities to a summer-long pop tab collection competition benefiting the...
Meeting Briefs

Manhatttan Village Board Meeting Briefs

MUNICIPAL UPDATES Memorial Day Services Planned: The I Honor Banner Ceremony will take place Sunday at 10 a.m. at the Manhattan Township Building, 230 S. Wabash Street. The ceremony dedicates...
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

Frankfort Township Approves Employee Raises, Details Major Infrastructure and Service Projects

Frankfort Township employees will receive a 2.5% cost-of-living pay increase after the Board of Trustees unanimously approved the adjustment at its Monday, May 19 meeting. The move came as Supervisor...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Fire Station Construction Bids Due June 3, Storm Generates 40 Emergency Calls

The Manhattan Fire Protection District has received strong interest from contractors for its new fire station project, with construction bids due back June 3 and groundbreaking still targeted for July....
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

New High-End Bar ‘Ace & Vine’ Gets Green Light from Township Board

A new bar focused on high-end liquor and an extensive wine collection is one step closer to opening in Frankfort Township after the Board of Trustees voted to recommend a...
MFPD-Logo-Fire District

Fire District Maintains Strong Call Volume, Equipment Readiness

The Manhattan Fire Protection District is maintaining steady emergency response capabilities while addressing routine equipment maintenance needs across its two-station operation. Deputy Chief Dave Piper's April operational report showed continued...
Frankfort-Township-Logo-Graphic

Golf Carts Not Permitted on Township Roads, Supervisor Clarifies

Residents hoping to drive golf carts on roads in unincorporated Frankfort Township are out of luck, as the practice is illegal under state law, Supervisor Nick George clarified at the...