Will County Board Land Use Committee Graphic.1

Will County Committee Denies Appeal for Crete Township ‘Tiny Home’ Permit

Spread the love

Will County Land Use & Development Committee Meeting | November 6, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday upheld the denial of a temporary use permit for a recreational vehicle on a Crete Township property, citing unresolved code violations and affirming earlier decisions by county staff and the Planning and Zoning Commission.

Crete Township RV Permit Appeal Key Points:

  • The committee upheld the Zoning Administrator’s and Planning and Zoning Commission’s decision to reject a temporary use permit application for a recreational vehicle.

  • The denial was based on an uncorrected violation involving an unpermitted detached garage on the property at V Greenwood Avenue in Crete Township.

  • Property owner Lauren Dentzman-Herrera sought the permit to keep the “tiny home” on-site while working toward full compliance with building codes.

  • The final decision now goes to the full County Board, where a three-fourths majority vote is required to overturn the committee’s decision.

CRETE, IL — The Will County Land Use and Development Committee on Thursday, November 6, 2025, unanimously upheld a decision to deny a temporary use permit application for a recreational vehicle, or “tiny home,” located on a vacant property on Greenwood Avenue in Crete Township. The committee’s vote sided with county staff who had rejected the application from owner Lauren Dentzman-Herrera due to an existing code violation on the parcel.

The case represents an “appeal of an appeal,” according to Development Services Director Brian Radner. The issue began when Dentzman-Herrera’s initial temporary use permit for the tiny home expired in September. When she applied for a new one, the Land Use Department rejected the application, citing an unresolved violation for an unpermitted detached garage placed on the property in December 2024. Per county ordinance, the Zoning Administrator is authorized to deny temporary permits for any property with an uncorrected violation.

Dentzman-Herrera appealed that administrative decision to the Will County Planning and Zoning Commission (PZC) on October 21, 2025. The PZC voted 6-0 to uphold the staff’s denial, determining there was no error.

In her subsequent appeal to the Land Use Committee, Dentzman-Herrera stated her intention to bring the property into full compliance. “I have several contractors lined up to finish the permanent foundation and all of the required amenities,” she told the committee, adding her goal is to be fully compliant with county code.

However, staff noted that converting the recreational vehicle into a permanent, code-compliant home is a complex and potentially costly process that involves more than just a foundation. The appeal before the committee was strictly on the procedural denial of the temporary permit. The committee’s action affirms that staff correctly followed the ordinance. The matter now goes to the full Will County Board, which would need a three-fourths majority vote to overturn the decision.

Events

No events

Leave a Comment





Latest News Stories

Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.14.20 PM

Will County Ordinance Committee Briefs: Unanimous Votes for Proclamations, Title Changes, Audits Discussed

Committee Clarifies Unanimous Vote Requirement for Honorary Proclamations: The Ordinance Committee refined language in Chapter 30 regarding honorary proclamations, specifying that they shall be allowed "only by unanimous vote" of...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.14.20 PM

County Undertakes Formatting Overhaul of Decades-Old Ordinances

JOLIET — Will County officials are modernizing the format and structure of the county's ordinances, some of which date back to 1943, as part of a comprehensive review process to...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.14.20 PM

County Reviews Rules on Virtual Meeting Attendance, Committee Participation

JOLIET — Will County officials discovered Thursday that their current practices regarding virtual meeting attendance may not fully comply with state law, as the Ordinance Committee worked through updates to...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.14.20 PM

Will County Ordinance Committee Reviews Administrative Code, Clarifies Official Powers

JOLIET — The Will County Ordinance Committee spent several hours Thursday reviewing and updating Chapter 30 of the county's Code of Ordinances, which governs county administration, with particular attention to...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.17.47 PM

Farmers, Residents Call for Action on Roadside Debris from Landfill Trucks

Local farmers and residents are urging county officials to address persistent litter problems along routes used by trucks traveling to and from Prairie View landfill. The issue emerged during public...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.17.47 PM

County Landfill Meeting Briefs

Landfill Minutes Approved: The landfill committee unanimously approved minutes from its February 11, 2025 meeting. All committee members were present, including Hickey, Brooks, Bulock, Logan, Newquest, Pretzel, and Dean Schlotman....
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.17.47 PM

Geological Features Central to Landfill Expansion Plans

Geological characteristics that were formed thousands of years ago make Prairie View an ideal location for landfill operations, according to the geologist leading expansion plans for the facility. During Wednesday's...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.17.47 PM

County Considers Two Options for Prairie View Landfill Expansion

Prairie View landfill could extend its lifespan by up to 35 additional years under expansion plans presented to the county's landfill committee on Wednesday. Consultant Marty Fallon outlined two potential...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.24.10 PM

Health Department Faces Funding Cuts, Reviews Options for Programs

The Will County Health Department is assessing its options after being notified of the termination of a $1 million federal grant for respiratory disease surveillance and outbreak response, officials told...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.24.10 PM

County Health News Briefs

Sunny Hill Nursing Home Reports Full Capacity: The county-owned Sunny Hill Nursing Home is operating at 100% capacity with all 156 beds filled and a waiting list, Administrator Maggie McDall...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.24.10 PM

Substance Use Initiative Reports Early 2025 Overdose Data, Outreach Efforts

Will County has recorded eight fatal overdoses and seven overdose reversals so far in 2025, according to data presented to the county health committee on Wednesday. Connie Dewal, program manager...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.24.10 PM

County Food Access Program Reports Progress on ARPA-Funded Initiatives

Four community organizations are expanding food assistance services across Will County through nearly $80,000 in federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds administered by the county's food access collaborative. Caitlyn...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.24.10 PM

Sunny Hill Nursing Home Reaches Full Capacity, Completes Bed Upgrades

Will County's Sunny Hill Nursing Home is operating at 100% capacity with a waiting list for admissions, prompting officials to consider reinstating a policy that would prioritize county residents, Administrator...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.08.10 PM

Will County Land Use and Development Briefs: Minor Subdivision, Extension Approved, Tiny Homes Advocate Returns

Committee Approves Minor Subdivision to Correct Illegal Land Division: The Land Use and Development Committee unanimously approved a minor subdivision plat for the Crown Holm Family Trust in Lockport Township,...
Screenshot 2025-05-04 at 2.08.10 PM

Will County Considers Relaxing Size Restrictions on Accessory Dwelling Units

JOLIET — Will County officials are considering revisions to zoning regulations that would allow larger accessory dwelling units (ADUs), potentially expanding housing options in the county while addressing concerns about...