Commission Approves Peotone-Area Farmhouse Split, Overruling Staff’s “Spot Zoning” Concerns

Will County Planning and Zoning Commission Meeting | November 4, 2025

Article Summary: The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission approved a request to rezone a 1.75-acre portion of a larger farm in Wilton Township, allowing a family trust to sell a farmhouse separately from the remaining farmland. The decision came despite a recommendation for denial from county planning staff, who argued the change would create an incompatible island of residential zoning in a predominantly agricultural area.

Wilton Township Rezoning Key Points:

• The commission approved a map amendment to rezone 1.75 acres at 12504 W. Wilmington-Peotone Road from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-1 (Single-Family Residential).

• The applicant, representing the Doris J. Robbins Revocable Trust, sought to divide the existing farmhouse from the 27.9-acre property to sell it separately.

• County staff recommended denial, stating the new parcel would be the only R-1 zoned property within a one-mile radius, creating incompatible “spot zoning.”

• The applicant’s attorney noted the move was a practical step for the family trust following the owner’s passing and that Wilton Township had no objections.

The Will County Planning and Zoning Commission on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, voted to approve the rezoning of a 1.75-acre property in Wilton Township, allowing a historic farmhouse to be split from the surrounding farmland despite staff recommendations to deny the request.

The case involved a 27.9-acre property at 12504 W. Wilmington-Peotone Road, owned by the Doris J. Robbins Revocable Trust. The applicants requested a map amendment to rezone the 1.75-acre portion containing the residence from A-1 (Agricultural) to R-1 (Single-Family Residential).

Edward V. Sharkey, an attorney representing agent Debbie Robbins and the trust, explained the family’s reasoning. He noted that the original owner, Doris Robbins, had passed away and the family wished to sell the home, as no one needed to live there. The remaining farmland is actively farmed by another family member.

“We’re trying to not keep the house because it’s of no use in the sense that nobody needs to live there,” Sharkey said. He explained that if the zoning change were denied, the trust’s only options would be to keep the property as is or sell the house with 10 acres of active farmland, a less practical option.

County Land Use staff, however, recommended denial. Planner Jesus Briseno presented the staff’s findings, arguing that the change would be incompatible with the surrounding area. “If the map amendment is approved, the parcel will be the only R-1 zoning district within the general area,” Briseno stated, showing a map with a one-mile radius where the predominant zoning is A-1 (Agricultural) and E-2 (Estate Residential). “It is in staff’s professional opinion that the proposed zoning change will not be compatible with the existing zoning districts.”

Staff also noted that while the trend of development in the area is toward estate residential, the proposed 1.75-acre lot would not meet the minimum lot size requirements for an E-2 district, which requires at least 2.4 acres.

Sharkey countered that the R-1 zoning was the most logical choice to minimize the need for additional variances. He argued for a pragmatic view of the property’s existing use. “If it looks like a duck, it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck,” he said. “This house is a residence, has been a residence, and it looks like a residence. If someone were to drive by the property, they wouldn’t know if it’s zoned A-1 or R-1.”

When asked by the commission if Wilton Township had any input, Sharkey said he had spoken with a township official who indicated they had discussed the matter and had “no problem with it.”

The Will County Department of Transportation submitted questions about how the remaining farmland would be accessed after the split, which Sharkey said would be handled through an existing connection from an adjoining property or a potential easement. The commission ultimately voted unanimously to approve the map amendment.