Bolingbrook Denies Special Use Permit Application For Township Food Pantry Project

BOLINGBROOK, IL — At its Tuesday meeting, the Bolingbrook Village Board denied a motion for the application of a special use permit for a planned development with variances and concept plan for the DuPage Township resource center and food pantry.

The Board was considering two motions involving the project: one motion was to adopt the findings and recommendation of the plan commission regarding a special use permit for the project, and the other motion was for the application for a special use permit for the project.

The Board motioned to accept and adopt the findings and recommendation of the Bolingbrook Plan Commission, which recommended denying the application. Trustee Michael Carpanzano motioned to deny the application for a special use permit, and the Board unanimously approved the denial, except for Trustee Jean Kelly, who had recused herself from the matter.

DuPage Township is proposing the resource center and food pantry at the northeast corner of Canterbury and Lily Cache lanes. In November, DuPage Township asked its voters about the project, and if it should replace its current Romeoville pantry with a consolidated facility in Bolingbrook. The referendum was successful with over 27,000 "yes" votes.

Plans for the project have appeared in front of the Village Board before. In January 2024, the Bolingbrook Village Board sent a proposal for the food pantry back to its plan commission, with the Village Attorney saying the proposal was incomplete and disjointed.

Most recently, the Plan Commission met on Jan. 18 to discuss the project and once again recommended denying the special use permit for the project.

In its written conclusion on the matter, the Plan Commission stated that the central issue "is not whether a food pantry and resource center are reasonable land uses," but "whether this proposed planned development at this desired location would be in the public interest."

Among other reasons for the denial, the plan commission had concerns over the number of available parking spots, vehicular and pedestrian traffic safety, and the possible adverse effect on existing businesses, residents or adverse effects on tax bases of units of local government and school district.

Matt Eastman, Director of Community Development, said the plan commission determined that the applicant had not met the required standards.

"Despite additional submissions from the Township following the initial hearing, the information provided did not sufficiently address concerns or demonstrate that the project was in harmony with the spirit and intent of the Zoning Ordinance or in the public interest," Eastman told Patch. "As a result, the Plan Commission recommended denial of the request, at said location, and the Village Board ultimately upheld that recommendation."