On May 15th the Will County Land Use and Development Ordinance Review Subcommittee approved of several changes in the proposed zoning ordinance.  The Public Hearings on April 30th and May 3rd provided new public comment concerning the new zoning ordinance update. 

The consultant and Will County Land Use Dept. staff proposed several changes to address comments at the public hearings.  The following changes were approved by the subcommittee: 

1.  The requirement for parking spaces for facilities which board horses was changed to "Parking for vehicles and trailers must be on a driveway or other designated parking area located outside of street setback." 

2.  Wind turbines - remove limit on accessory devices that are agriculturally - related. 

3.  Expand the allowable location of Firearms Dealers as a permitted use to I-1 and I-2 zoning districts.  Expand the allowable location of Indoor Shooting Ranges as a Special Use to A-1 and Permitted Use to C-3, C-4, I-1 and I-2 zoning districts. 

4.  Increase density bonus upto 33% within PUDs for green development/building initiatives. 

5.   Review of new applications for Development for completeness, the review time period by the Zoning Administrator will be reduced from 14 working days to 7 business days. 

6.  The existing language concerning the location of Donation and Collection Drop Boxes was not changed to make it more restrictive. 

7.  The existing  language concerning the location of dynamic display billboard next to residential districts to make it less restrictive was not changed. 

8.  Restrictions on use of cargo containers to support agricultural production were removed.

9.  Signs used to mark test plot areas within a farm field, including seed test areas are allowed without a permit. 

10.  The acquisition of additional public right of way will not effect existing nonconforming uses. 

11.  Ground-mounted solar energy systems may be located within required interior side or rear setbacks.  

12. Allow Craft Brewing and Distilling as a Special Use in C-3, C-4, I-1, I-2, and I-3 Zoning Districts.  

For additional information concerning the above changes and the complete proposed zoning ordinance changes go to website RenewingWillCounty.com.