The Joliet City Council at its Tuesday meeting decided to postpone a series of votes regarding potential plans to develop approximately 331 acres of vacant undeveloped property, located south of Millsdale Road along Bridge, Noel and Bush roads.
The developer is looking to convert the site from R-1B single-family residential and R-4 multi-family residential to I-1 light industrial zoning, which is contrary to the Southside Comprehensive Plan.
A proposal for the property indicates it is possible the land could be included as part of larger industrial park footprint, if paired with the Smith Farm, which is located at the southeast corner of the site. The site could also be accessed by a Union Pacific Railroad spur.
The Joliet Plan Commission previously reviewed the project during a January 17 meeting, at which point the lone dissenting vote was cast by John Kella.
“I’d like to table this until we can really look at this again,” Councilwoman Jan Quillman said. “I don’t see the rush.”
The motion was seconded by Councilman Terry Morris.
Several residents expressed concerns for the development if it should come on line.
“I want to know if the Cedar Creek residents were actually notified of this meeting,” Quillman said.
A vote was tabled until the Joliet City Council’s Sept. 3 meeting
“That’ll give us three months to take a look at this,” Quillman said.
In an 8-0 decision, the city council tabled its vote.
Other business
Members of the city council approved an intergovernmental agreement with the state of Illinois and its Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity in relation to a $250,000 tourism capital grant acquired for Old Joliet Prison West. Voting no was Councilman Larry Hug, and Quillman abstained from voting.