Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals Meeting – July 16, 2026

The Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals met on July 16, 2026, at 2:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. The board unanimously approved three petitions related to a variation of use and two special use permits, all recommended for final action by the City Council. The meeting also included the election of a new Chair, Jane McGrath Schmig. Board member Jesse Stiff was absent.

Election of Chair

• The board voted unanimously (5-0) to move up agenda item 7A, Election of Chair, to the beginning of the meeting. Following nominations, Jane McGrath Schmig was elected as the new Chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals by a 5-0 vote.

Approval of Minutes

• The minutes from the June 18, 2026 meeting were approved unanimously (5-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

• Petition 2026-29 (317 S. Reed Street): Gianna Barone, a resident and co-chair of the Reedwood Neighborhood Group, spoke in support. She stated that she polled approximately 30 people in her database and all were in favor. She read five letters of support from community members (Sherry Brown, Peggy Johnson, Kathy Speeler, Margie Court, and herself). The letters cited the property's long vacancy, previous squatters, and the positive impact of the UCP Center.
• No public comments were made on Petitions 2026-30 or 2026-31.

Discussion Items

• Petition 2026-29 – Variation of Use for Administrative Offices (317 S. Reed Street): Staff planner Jayne Bernhard read the staff report into the record. Petitioner Brian Patel, representing UCP Center for Disability Services, appeared. The request was to allow administrative offices (R-B restricted business use) within an existing residential structure in an R-2 single-family residential district, adjacent to the UCP Center's main campus at 311 S. Reed Street. The site would house up to eight non-programmatic staff, with no exterior changes to residential appearance, no signage, and employee parking at the main campus. Board member Bob Nachtrieb asked about neighbor outreach; Patel stated he had met with the Reedwood Neighborhood Group. A resident spoke in support.
• Petition 2026-30 – Special Use Permit for Resale Boutique (124 N. Ottawa Street): Staff read the report. Petitioner Savanna Wilhelmi, a lifelong Joliet resident and owner of a salon, introduced her business, Maison Mariana. The boutique would offer secondhand bridal wear, tuxedo rentals, special occasion wear, accessories, and home accents within an existing mixed-use building in the B-2 Central Business District. Hours would be Monday–Friday 11 AM–5 PM with extended hours during downtown events. Board member Ralph Bias asked about upper floor uses; staff confirmed upper three levels are residential. No board or public questions followed.
• Petition 2026-31 – Special Use Permit for Truck Repair Facility (608 Railroad Street): Staff read the report. Petitioner Kutaikur Dikin, Operations Manager of TFR Fleet Parts and Services LLC, appeared. The request was to re-establish a truck repair facility in an I-2 General Industrial District. The facility would employ three people, operate 9 AM–5 PM, and perform all work indoors. The previous special use permit from 2017 had lapsed. Board member Bias inquired about the fleet size (65 trucks total, 50 owner-operators) and noted that trucks would be on the road, not parked overnight. No public comments.

Key Outcomes

• Petition 2026-29: Motion to approve the variation of use (5-0). The request will proceed to City Council with a recommendation of approval. Conditions include limiting use to administrative offices, maintaining residential exterior and interior, no future expansion, and potential revocation if the property becomes a public nuisance.
• Petition 2026-30: Motion to recommend approval of the special use permit (5-0). Conditions include obtaining a building permit or certificate of occupancy within 180 days and potential revocation for public nuisance. The request moves to City Council.
• Petition 2026-31: Motion to recommend approval of the special use permit (5-0). Conditions include obtaining a business license, re-establishing paved parking with five striped spaces, no outdoor storage of trucks/trailers/inoperable vehicles, and the 180-day permit requirement. The request moves to City Council.
• No items were discussed under Old/New Business not for final action, and no public comments on non-agenda items were made. The meeting adjourned with a unanimous vote.