Zoning board grants large ground‑sign variance for Victory City Church

The Joliet Zoning Board of Appeals approved petition 202557, granting multiple sign variations for Victory City Church at 2200 McDonough Street that increase maximum sign area and height and reduce pole‑setback requirements.

Staff said the 7‑acre campus — formerly Saint Jude Church and school — is zoned R‑2 and historically has carried nonresidential uses. The proposed ground sign would be about 16 feet, 3 inches tall with an overall sign area near 72 square feet, including an approximately 32‑square‑foot electronic message center. Staff noted a 2002 sign approval for the site and said the proposed sign would, in staff’s judgment, be similar in scale to the existing sign and would sit farther from the sidewalk on private property based on a 2024 survey; staff recommended approval and did not propose conditions.

A sign installer representing the petitioner answered technical questions about square footage and confirmed he would perform the installation. After closing testimony the board moved and seconded approval and voted affirmatively by roll call.

The Zoning Board makes the final decision on the sign‑variation requests in this case. The petitioner may proceed to obtain required permits in accordance with city sign and building codes.