Board Denies Variance to Stack Containers Five High in Local Storage Yard

Will County Board Member Sharon May was among the 22 board members who opposed the variance that would have allowed in a storage yard just outside .

“I wanted to make sure that the residents of Channahon were heard because they provided a lot of feedback on this issue, and the message was overwhelmingly against allowing this to happen,” May (D-Channahon) said in a written release. “Considering this business is located across the street from the ‘Welcome to Channahon’ sign, I don’t think the sight of five-high cargo containers is the first impression a town wants to give visitors.”

The board’s Land Use and Development Committee voted against the variance Nov. 8. The business is on Youngs Road, across from the . Owner Anthony Cavalea could not be reached for comment.

Also a member of the Forest Preserve District of Will County Board, May said maintaining the beauty of the new rookery was imperative. The Rock Run Rookery was also mentioned in the objection submitted by Channahon village officials. At a Nov. 7 Village Board meeting attended by May, Channahon Village President Joe Cook said the Forest Preserve had done a good job at the property and he would hate to see the site lines ruined by containers stacked five high.

“Rock Run was opened to provide our residents with an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty this area has to offer,” Will County Board Member Deb Rozak (R-Wilmington), also secretary of the Forest Preserve board, said in a written release. “The last thing anyone wants to see when fishing, canoeing, kayaking, boating, or picnicking is a stack of cargo containers. The variance request goes against our standing policy and is inappropriate given the business’s location.”

Both Channahon and Joliet had filed objections to the variance request. Channahon had its own experience within village limits who went against an ordinance regarding container stacking. The village sued and won.

Approving the variance would have gone against county precedent as well.

“We have a standing policy to not allow anything higher than three containers, and I believe we need to remain firm in this policy,” Will County Board Member Don Gould (R-Shorewood), also vice president of the Forest Preserve Board, said in a written release. “This issue directly affects the residents of my district, and their concerns are completely justified. I’m glad my fellow board members concurred with us and voted against the variance."

Three Will County Board members voted in favor of the variance.