Overruling the recommendation of an advisory board and city administrators, the City Council unanimously approved special zoning for a consumer-lending business at on Larkin Avenue.
Mayor Art Schultz and council members granted a special-use permit for the Florida-based Lighthouse Financial Group operation. But Monday night’s 8-0 vote at a pre-council meeting also stipulated the firm won’t accept paychecks as collateral and will limit exterior signage. The business, currently in Crest Hill, we move to 232 Larkin Ave.
Officials must approve special-use permits for consumer-lending businesses under a 6-year-old ordinance intended to stem the proliferation of payday-loan businesses.
City Manager John Mezera had argued against the request, citing “the overabundance of payday/car title loan stores in the area.”
Joliet’s Zoning Board of Appeals last month unanimously denied the request without offering a reason.
But city officials overruled the board, largely based on their respect for attorney Michael Hansen, representing Lighthouse Financial Group, which specializes in 8- and 18-month loans for a wide range of uses.