Joliet comprehensive plan development in home stretch, with a public open house Thursday

The comprehensive plan, which may hit home for Joliet property owners more than some think, is ready for public review after two years of work.The city posted a draft of the plan on its website on Friday.People also can go to a community workshop from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday at Joliet West High School to hear more about the plan and give their opinions. The City Council will vote to approve the plan, under development for the past two years, by February.“Joliet is preparing and almost to the finish line with its first comprehensive plan in 60 years,” Planning Director Jayne Bernhard told the City Council during a presentation Tuesday.Why that matters was apparent minutes later when Keith Egly, whose family has owned industrial property on South Chicago Street since the 1970s, stepped up and told the council that he learned that land is designated for housing in the plan.“Plans for specific private parcels should be made with the owners in collaboration,” Egly said, also saying the city