The Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals met on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 2:00 PM in City Hall Council Chambers. Four members were present (Bob Nachtrieb, Jesse Stiff, Scott Ness, Debbie Radakovich); three were absent (Ralph Bias, Jane McGrath Schmig, Luis Leon). Bob Nachtrieb was appointed temporary chair. The board considered 11 petitions including special use permits, variations of use, and zoning variations. Staff reports were read by Planning Director Jayne Bernhard. Public comments were heard on several items. The board approved most requests, denied one variation of use, and added conditions to several approvals.
Petition 2026-32: Special Use Permit for box truck parking at 1395 N. Larkin Ave (Will County Habitat for Humanity Restore). Board member Radakovich added a condition that no more than four parking spaces shall be used for box truck parking. Approved unanimously (4-0).
Petition 2026-33: Special Use Permit for semi-trailer sales, service, and repair at 1720 Worker’s Court (W&B Service Company). The petitioner agreed to a condition making the permit non-transferable. Board approved (4-0).
Petition 2026-34: Special Use Permit for gas station with accessory car wash at northeast corner of Theodore St. and Route 59. A traffic impact study was not completed but reviewed by city traffic engineer. Board approved (4-0).
Petitions 2026-35 and 2026-36 (540 Bluff Street):
Petition 2026-37: Variation to allow larger detached garage (1,440 sq ft) than principal structure (1,169 sq ft) at 329 Pleasant St. Approved unanimously (4-0).
Petition 2026-38: Variation to reduce front yard setback to 23 ft for accessory agricultural structure at 10250 Chicago Rd. Approved (4-0).
Petition 2026-39: Variation to reduce front yard setback to 11 ft for front porch roof at 1105 Hacker Ave. Approved (4-0).
Petition 2026-40: Variation to reduce side yard setback to 4.8 ft for rear covered patio at 1111 Clement St. The petitioner clarified there is no intent to enclose the patio in the future. Approved (4-0).
Petition 2026-41: Variation to reduce front yard setback to 12 ft for new single-family house at 21 N. Hickory St. The applicant partnered with South Suburban Land Bank to develop affordable housing. Approved (4-0).
Yeah. Okay, welcome to the Thursday, August 20th, 2026 meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Before we do our call to order, I'd like to recognize that we don't have a chair and vice chair at this meeting, and therefore well, I guess we can do the we'll do the call to order first. Yeah, let's get that documented. Let's call to order, please. Mr. Bias. Mr. Leon. Mr. Nocht. Mr. Ness. Here. Ms. Radakovich. Here. Mr. Stiff. Here. Chairwoman Schmig. Yeah. Okay. Next on the agenda is we do need a motion for someone to serve as chair for this meeting. Is there a motion for anyone who would love to be our temporary chair for the meeting? I'd like to nominate Bob Knocktree. Debbie, could you pull the microphone closer to you? I'd like to nominate Bob Noctree. Okay. Second. The motion and a second. Any discussion? Okay. We have a motion and second for Bob Noctriebe to serve as chair for the August 20th meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals. All those in favor? Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay. Mr. Noctree will be chair for this meeting. Next on the agenda is the approval of the meeting minutes from the July 16th meeting of the Zoning Board of Appeals. Call the roll, please. We need a motion first for the meeting. Do I make the motion? Someone someone can. I'll make a motion to accept the minutes of the previous meeting. Second. Second it. All right.