Commission directs staff to accept two late special-use extension filings; matters to go to Will County Board

The Will County Planning & Zoning Commission on April 7 voted to direct staff to accept two special-use permit extension applications that had been rejected as late filings, a decision that sends both matters to the Will County Board for final action.

Brian Radnor, presenting the Acosta Enterprises appeal (AADDash26Dash001), told the commission the applicant’s extension filing was submitted about 12 days after the expiration date (Feb. 13) and that the zoning administrator rejected the late filing in accordance with the zoning code. Radnor explained the code permits up to four 180-day extensions but requires that extension applications be filed while the prior extension is still effective. He said the applicant has the right to appeal that administrative determination to the commission.

An applicant representative and commissioners noted practical impacts and the financial/time burden of reapplying. A motion was made and seconded to find the administrative decision in error and require staff to accept the extension application; the motion carried on a roll-call vote (commission recorded a 4-to-1 result in favor). Radnor said if the commission directs staff to accept the filing, staff will process the extension and the matter would then go to the county’s land-use committee and the full county board for a final vote — likely in May.

The commission considered a second, similar appeal (AADDash26Dash002) for a property owned by the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago; staff again explained the request arrived after the effective period and denied it. Commissioners discussed recurring late filings and possible code clarifications. The commission voted to require staff to accept the extension application for the MWRD property; the vote passed with a majority in favor and one commissioner indicating a negative vote.

Commissioners and staff noted this does not itself grant the extension: it directs staff to accept and process the application so the county board can consider the extension. "If you did say that staff was in error, we would accept the SUP extension," Radnor told the commission, summarizing the procedural effect. The panel discussed whether the code or administrative practice should be adjusted to avoid recurring late-filing appeals and staff said the matter will be shared with the Land Use & Development Committee for possible text changes to the solar and extension rules.

Next steps: Staff will process the accepted extension filings and attempt to place them on the county board’s agenda; the commission noted expected scheduling in May for the board’s consideration.